Advertisement
Subscribe For $2.50/Month
Print Editions
Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal
  • Local Stories
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • E-edition
  • Spiritual
    • Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
  • My Account
No Result
View All Result
Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal
No Result
View All Result
Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal
No Result
View All Result

Safety on the Rails

Naomi Smith by Naomi Smith
September 14, 2023
in Local Stories
0
0
SHARES
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Charlotte Lane

When I was a little girl, few things were as thrilling as standing beside a railroad track while a tall train engine rumbled past.  I never lost my love for railroads as I grew older. I did, however, learn the vital importance the rail system played not only in commerce, but in physically binding the nation as one after the Civil War.

 Many western movies portray the thrilling race of the three main east-west railroads competing to drive lines from the Mississippi River to the west coast.  With steel ties, they fastened us into one geographic unit.

 One of the responsibilities of the Public Service Commission that few people know about is regulation of railroads.  Our Railroad Safety Section has powerful and wide-ranging duties.  They inspect track, cars and locomotives, hazardous materials, signal and train controls, and operating practices.

 It’s a big job.  And it is ably managed by John Perry.  John is a native of the tiny Wyoming County town of Ravencliff.  Three decades ago, he started with the Commission as an inspector.  Now he commands a staff of 10, and they have a colossal amount of work to do.

 The West Virginia rail system is enormous.  It comprises two major and 11 regional, or what are known as “short line,” railroads.  The PSC has jurisdiction over 2,401 miles of track in the Mountain State.  While freight carriage has declined nationally since the turn of the century, rail transport of goods, particularly coal, remains important in our state.

 It may be surprising, but more than 1,000 people are killed or injured each year in this country because they are trespassing on railroad tracks.  The Federal Railroad Administration reports there were more than three derailments daily in 2022, or a total of 1,154.

 Recent derailments of trains near the West Virginia borders and carrying toxic materials point once again to the importance of the duties performed by John and his inspectors.  In fact, West Virginia’s railroads are nationally recognized as among the safest in the nation.  That is due to our rigorous inspection program and the fact that all of our inspectors are fully certified by the Federal Railroad Administration.  Most are also volunteers in Operation Lifesaver.

 So, the next time you are stopped by a train, or you hear that mournful whistle as one approaches an intersection, remember the Public Service Commission’s team is working to keep you safe.

 

 

Previous Post

WVU announces additional final recommendations for programs under review

Next Post

HCSCC Board of Directors News

Next Post

HCSCC Board of Directors News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Account
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Communication preferences
  • Contact Support
  • Contact Us
  • Content restricted
  • Digital Subscriptions
  • Edit Profile
  • Home
  • Home
  • Home (BACK)
  • Log In
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • login
  • Login
  • LoginPress
  • Lost Password
  • Main
  • Membership Account
  • My Account
  • Newsletter
  • Newsletter
  • Newsletter
  • Newsletter upgrade
  • profile
  • register
  • Register
  • Register
  • Registration
  • Reset Password
  • Serving North Central WV Since 1897
  • Shop
  • Sub Reg
  • Subscribe to the Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal
  • Subscribe to the Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal
  • Thank You

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

  • Login
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.
body::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 7px; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-track { border-radius: 10px; background: #f0f0f0; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { border-radius: 50px; background: #dfdbdb }
No Result
View All Result
  • Local Stories
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • E-edition
  • Spiritual
    • Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
  • My Account

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.