Episode
How a Derailed Train Galvanized an Ohio Town, and Congress
27:11
Published: Mon Mar 06 2023
Description
On Feb. 3, a nearly two-mile long freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, a town of about 4,700 people.The railroad company and local officials decided to do a chemical burn to neutralize the cargo, but as a giant plume of black smoke settled over the town, residents’ anger about the handling of the accident has intensified.Guest: Emily Cochrane, a national correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed that the Transportation Department impose stricter rules for freight rail.The derailment of a second train in Ohio — despite assurances that no hazardous materials had leaked — sharpened the questions about rail safety.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
This episode discusses the train derailment in Ohio, which led to several unanswered questions and evolved into a national story that brought attention to the issue of deregulation in the transportation industry.
00:00 - 03:33 (03:33)
Summary
This episode discusses the train derailment in Ohio, which led to several unanswered questions and evolved into a national story that brought attention to the issue of deregulation in the transportation industry.
EpisodeHow a Derailed Train Galvanized an Ohio Town, and Congress
PodcastThe Daily
A train derailment and toxic chemical spill has raised concerns in a small town about the potential long-term health effects of exposure to the chemicals, despite initial tests showing no significant amounts of the most prominent toxic chemical, vinyl chloride.
03:33 - 09:55 (06:22)
Summary
A train derailment and toxic chemical spill has raised concerns in a small town about the potential long-term health effects of exposure to the chemicals, despite initial tests showing no significant amounts of the most prominent toxic chemical, vinyl chloride. Residents are reporting migraines and rashes and other ailments that just didn't occur before the incident, adding to the uncertainty and fear in the community.
EpisodeHow a Derailed Train Galvanized an Ohio Town, and Congress
PodcastThe Daily
As train derailments continue to occur in the US, Norfolk Southern has seen an increase in accidents over the last four years despite its record operating profits and lobbying against safety regulations.
09:55 - 16:40 (06:44)
Summary
As train derailments continue to occur in the US, Norfolk Southern has seen an increase in accidents over the last four years despite its record operating profits and lobbying against safety regulations. However, there is hope with a surge of bipartisan emerging to work on legislation aimed at fixing the safety concerns.
EpisodeHow a Derailed Train Galvanized an Ohio Town, and Congress
PodcastThe Daily
Stricter scrutiny on train car parts would be enforced by the legislation proposed to prevent incidents similar to the derailment in Iowa.
16:40 - 24:36 (07:55)
Summary
Stricter scrutiny on train car parts would be enforced by the legislation proposed to prevent incidents similar to the derailment in Iowa. Communities would also be notified by these trains to keep them informed.
EpisodeHow a Derailed Train Galvanized an Ohio Town, and Congress
PodcastThe Daily
A weekend derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train occurred in Springfield, approximately 200 miles from East Palestine.
24:39 - 26:59 (02:20)
Summary
A weekend derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train occurred in Springfield, approximately 200 miles from East Palestine. Local authorities ordered shelter-in-place from residents who live nearby as a precaution.