Canadian Pacific Findings On Derailment Raise Concerns, Says Baldwin

Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin indicated Friday that a railroad company’s finding that a broken rail caused last weekend’s oil train derailment in Watertown does not ease her safety concerns.

Canadian Pacific said Thursday that its preliminary finding is that a flaw not visible to the eye within a piece of rail caused Sunday’s accident. Thirteen cars ended up derailed, and about 500 gallons of crude oil spilled as a result.

After she toured the derailment site Friday afternoon, Baldwin said an ultrasound inspection of the rail in September found no flaw, indicating that perhaps more steps are needed to ensure rail safety.

‘We have to strengthen the Federal Railway Administration oversight and keep on looking back at whether our inspection requirements are sufficient for public safety,” said Baldwin.

Baldwin is promoting more railroad safety efforts in a federal transportation bill and in separate legislation.

Canadian Pacific said the broken rail has been sent to a lab, and that the contaminated soil has been hauled to a special landfill.