The California Bill will limit the length of the loading train for safety

If the politically influential unions of California make their way, the freight trains of the state will become short and potentially more fascinating with a pending legislative proposal.

But some democratic MPs fear, Pledge of legislative leaders to reduce the costs of life. They are also worried that the need to operate freight trains can more often cause a delay in the fight against passenger trains that rely on the same tracks and are often delayed by freight trains.

In addition, independent experts, including those who work for the legislature, say that the measure is almost certainly not legal.

Nevertheless, Norwalk Democratic Seni. Bob Airlettas Senate Bill 667 He accepted his first committee, which heard this week, without a Democrat voting no.

This is the last example of an insufficient bill that progresses through the legislature because of the Democrats of Democrats unwillingness to kill the measures of their colleagues in a public placeEspecially when this means overcoming the demands of influential organizations such as organized work.

Archulet’s bill is a response to 2023 This forced thousands of residents to evacuate when toxic chemicals were spread and train cars were lit. Investigators accused derailting of an overheated wheels, which was not detected early enough, watching the systems along the track.

The brotherhood of locomotive engineers and trainers supports the measure by quoting Recent studies Showing that it is less likely that the shorter trains will exit their tracks, challenge solid railway companies.

“We have had two recent scientific studies that confirm what rail workers have known for years,” Ryan Snow, a representative of the Union, to the Union, to The Union, to The Union Energy, Communal Services and Communications Committee in the SenateS “Longer trains create higher safety risks.”

According to the proposal of Archuleta, the maximum length of the freight train in California will be limited to 7500 feet, about 125 railway vehicles with a length of 60 feet. The train that derailed in Eastern Palestine in 2023 151 cars and 9 300 feet longS

The measure will also require the railway roads to install “road detectors” every 10 to 15 miles, looking for signs of damage to train equipment, such as overheated wheels. Creative trains will not be able to travel more than 10 miles / h on the slopes without the sensors. It would also ban trains from blocking rail crossings to ensure that emergency vehicles may pass.

Railway companies will face fines up to $ 25,000 for violation.

“Many countries have wanted to regulate the train length”

Experts say the proposal has a major problem: it is illegal under federal law, which gives the US government the final word for regulating railway roads.

“The federal and state courts are constantly warning state statutes aimed at limiting trains and blocked crossings, despite the lack of federal provisions aimed at these issues,” the bill written by the Commission’s employees said. “In some cases, the courts have postponed the widespread body of the Federal Government to interstate trade.”

In other words, if the measure is to be signed in the law, it will almost certainly not experience a legal challenge, said Professor Roger Nober, director of the Center for Regulatory Research at George Washington University.

“Many countries have wanted to regulate the length of the train or units, and I certainly understand the powerlessness that would make countries want to do so,” he said in an interview. “But this is a federal responsibility. It’s quite clear.”

Other alliances supporting the bill include California professional firefighters, the California School Employees Association and the International Brotherhood of the team. In total, these three unions have donated at least $ 9.4 million to lawmakers since 2015, according to Digital democracy databaseS

They have an unwavering ally in Archaletta, who votes with the positions of the unions on bills more than 90% of the time, according to digital democracy.

“We are here to save lives and keep trains moving, but do it productively and do it with the dignity of the workers who are here,” “” He told the committeeS

At least two dozen shipping, agricultural, wooden and construction groups are opposed to the bill, together with the California Chamber of Commerce. In total, opponents have given at least $ 10.2 million to lawmakers since 2015, according to digital democracy.

The train industry employees also oppose it. The regulations are not needed.

Recent progress in computer modeling, including a “physics training engine that simulates every train on our network” and other technologies reduced the number of derailment and other safety problems, said David O’Haraan official at the Union Pacific railway during the hearing.

Shortening of trains is cut into the lower lines of railway companies, Joseph Towers, analyzer of the railway industry with FTR Transport IntelligenceHe told Calmatters.

“Trains get longer because you are able to pull the same amount of load with less resources,” he said. “You need to have less engines, less crew.”

The measure comes and in a particularly uncertain time for the 5,000 -mile rail network in California that moves more than 5.5 million rail loads loads Several thousand workers work every year.

Towers said President Donald Trump’s tariffs, especially on Chinese imports entering the ports of California, can drastically reduce the amount of freight trains they will extract.

“As for the transport of a train, there will be less railway transportation, which can be attributed to these international … imports arriving on the west coast,” Towers said.

Longer delays for passenger trains

The four Republicans in the committee voted against the measure and all 12 of the Democrats of the Commission attended, voted for it.

However, some Democrats who voted said they wanted Archalets to amend the bill to deal with fears about consumer expenses, public transport and its obvious legal problems.

The President of the Committee, Seni. Josh Becker Menlo Park said there was “some concerns about the federal enterprise.”

He also called Archalets “To make sure our efforts to improve safety do not lead to good movement (restrictions) and price spikes that we saw to happen and hit the consumers during the pandemic.”

Seni. Ben Allen Ben AllenWho represents the area of ​​El Segundo is worried after hearing Stacey Mortensen’s testimony. She runs Amtrak and Ace Passengy Train Service in the San Hoaquin Valley and the gulf region, mainly operated for cargo carriers.

“Given that we work on the loading rail, all the requirements that are transmitted to them have the effect of pulsations that ultimately affect the end user”, “” she saidS

An increase in train riding is a key part of California’s ambitious strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Alan said that the California passenger trains in California already have difficulty attracting riders due to logistical problems caused by freight trains.

“There is a beautiful train network around the state and yet it can be such an unpleasant experience when you are stuck behind the cargo line,” he told the committeeS

Despite their fears, Becker and Alan voted to keep the train that the bill dives to its next stop, the Senate Transport Committee, where the measure will be heard on Monday.