Longer & Heavier Trains Are Causing Multiple Derailments Per Day in U.S.

Your Daily Load has covered multiple stories regarding trains in the United States derailing every day. One major area that our site has not really covered when it has come to these derailments is how overloaded the trains and tracks are. Railroad companies are all about "maximizing their profits" and if it is unsafe to do something these companies will do it if it means they will be making money. It has become common practice in the railroad industry to not only bypass safety checks but to increase the amount of train cars each train carries. The current condition of railroad tracks in the U.S. is bad to say the least. These tracks are not meant to withstand the load from these trains, which is leading to an increase in train derailments.

This is exactly what happened April 16, 2023, in Maine. This train derailment included 6 cars that were carrying lumber and electrical wiring which actually caused a fire. There are three railway employees who were taken to the hospital for injuries but have all been released since. There were no hazardous materials spilled so officials are not evacuating and reassuring the public that everything is safe.

Photo of Union Pacific train taken by James Heinrich