UPDATE: Change in Train Brake Requirements During the TRUMP Administration May Have Led to East Palestine, OH Train Disaster
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The derailed train used conventional air brakes, as opposed to electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes.
"Norfolk Southern among others said, 'Oh ECP brakes were unreliable and failed often' and so on and so on. That is not documented anywhere other than in that statement," said Steve Ditmeyer (a former head of research and development at the Federal Railroad Administration).
He said when the Federal Railroad Administration tested ECP brakes, the train crews loved them because of their ability to handle the train and its speed and stop it at a shorter distance.
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation made it a requirement for trains carrying hazardous, flammable materials to use electronic brakes.
In 2018, the Department of Transportation removed the requirement, citing a study that the cost outweighed the benefits.
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https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/special-reports/dig-in-2-it/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-and-toxic-chemicals/83-ff16cb4c-b90e-48fa-9530-441b71770761
The derailed train used conventional air brakes, as opposed to electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes.
"Norfolk Southern among others said, 'Oh ECP brakes were unreliable and failed often' and so on and so on. That is not documented anywhere other than in that statement," said Steve Ditmeyer (a former head of research and development at the Federal Railroad Administration).
He said when the Federal Railroad Administration tested ECP brakes, the train crews loved them because of their ability to handle the train and its speed and stop it at a shorter distance.
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation made it a requirement for trains carrying hazardous, flammable materials to use electronic brakes.
In 2018, the Department of Transportation removed the requirement, citing a study that the cost outweighed the benefits.
"
https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/special-reports/dig-in-2-it/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-and-toxic-chemicals/83-ff16cb4c-b90e-48fa-9530-441b71770761

















