Two more US derailments amid rising rail safety concerns

[John Ashworth]

Two trains derail in Washington and Arizona amid rising rail safety concerns

Two BNSF trains derailed in separate incidents in Arizona and Washington state on Thursday, with the latter spilling diesel fuel on tribal land along Puget Sound. There were no injuries reported. It was not clear what caused either derailment...

[John Ashworth]

Into the drink: train derails beside Montana river, tipping out cases of beer

A train derailment beside a scenic western Montana river has spilled powdered clay and huge amounts of beer, leaving crews with a daunting cleanup. The train derailed on Sunday across the river from Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort in Paradise, spilling cases of Coors Light and Blue Moon beer in cans and bottles, the Missoulian reported. No injuries have been reported. Cleanup crews could face a difficult task after a 25-car derailment left some cars off the tracks in a narrow, century-old tunnel with limited access, officials said... Rail accidents including derailments have been trending downward in the US as the number of miles traveled by trains decreases. However, the rate of accidents per mile has been increasing, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Railway unions contend rail transportation has become riskier in recent years after widespread job cuts.