Train Derailment Reported in Minnesota by BNSF
On April 1st, a BNSF train carrying ethanol and corn syrup derailed in Raymond, Minnesota, prompting residents to evacuate. This was the second major train derailment in just a couple of weeks - the first being the devastating Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio. Due to the flammability of ethanol, concerns were high when it caught fire, which led to the evacuation. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited the site of the derailment and assured citizens that emergency response teams were working to ensure their safety and health. This incident highlights the urgency for officials to pass safety bills for the railroads.
BNSF Railway, one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, operates in 28 states across the western two-thirds of the United States. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company is a subsidiary of multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett. With over 32,500 miles of track, BNSF moves a wide range of goods, including consumer and industrial products, as well as agricultural products.
The union representing nearly 9,300 workers at Canada’s top two rail companies is signaling a potential work stoppage due to stalled negotiations over working conditions and wage hikes.