Crude Trains Should Have at Least 2-Man Crews, Federal Regulators Say

"WASHINGTON — Responding to a series of fiery train derailments, federal regulators said Wednesday they will propose that trains transporting crude oil have at least two-man crews and requirements aimed at preventing parked train cars from coming loose and causing an accident like one in July that killed 47 people.

The Federal Railroad Administration had asked a freight rail industry advisory committee to make recommendations on whether two-man crews should be required, but the industry officials were unable to reach a consensus after working on the issue for months. Federal officials said they decided to move ahead with the two-crew member requirement anyway.

"Safety dictates that you never allow a single point of failure," Joseph Szabo, head of the railroad administration, said in a statement."

Joan Lowy reports for the Associated Press April 9, 2014.