This creates several contradictions. First, the media generally has absolutely no clue about real railroading. Second, crap happens, has always happened, and will continue to happen. As much as industry and government has declared that all accidents are preventable, in reality there are so many variables involved and the possibility of unforeseen or unlikely situations that accidents will still occur. The only way to stop all accidents is to never do anything. But - the only acceptable accident rate is zero.

If under the best of circumstances a section of track has about one derailment a year, then if you double the traffic, then you double the chances of a derailment. If a train derails in an isolated area without injuries or outside property damage, the media will largely ignore it. But, any accident involving hazardous material is news because it is bad news that can be dramatized which will keep the public's interest and bring more advertising revenue to the reporting media.

Should a railroad be require to advise the local emergency responders of every car of hazardous material they transport? Will that really do any good? I do agree that there are some emergency responders that suddenly find themselves facing haz mat in quantities they have no previous experience with, but training can be reasonably provided. Remember that railroad's have also paid property taxes for years, yet most trucks, water and air carriers use government owned right of ways and do not contribute to property taxes.

Isn't it ironic that the federal government prefers/requires that most hazardous material moved by rail be consolidated into the same "K" trains? And if the railroads have to disclose every haz mat movement to the general public doesn't this compromise competition - and what about the security concerns regarding a potential terrorist attack?

Everybody wants cheap energy. As I recall the US is one of or the highest energy user per person in the world. The NIMBYs want the benefits without having to share any risk or make any concessions to their perfect lives.

Not that the railroads are without fault. Sad thing is, it always comes down to one simple thing - money.