Group Issues ‘Urgent Action’ Warning About Loose Train Wheels

Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, on March 4, 2023. Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP

A railroad group on Thursday issued an advisory urging carriers to stop using certain railcars regarding concerns of loose wheels in the wake of the high-profile East Palestine derailment and other incidents in recent weeks.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR), a trade group representing major freight railroads, released an alert warning about loose wheels in cars that may have caused a derailment in Springfield, Ohio, over the past weekend. The advisory said that operators should “inspect and remove from service wheels” that were made by National Steel Car of Hamilton, Ontario, in Canada.

It added that Norfolk Southern had identified loose wheels on a series of cars that present an increased risk of an out-of-gage derailment. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told Reuters it was looking at the role of the loose wheels in recent derailments and praised the industry action.

“Yesterday, Norfolk Southern identified loose wheels on a series of cars that presents an increased risk of an out-of-gauge derailment. Today, AAR, through its committee structure, took expeditious action and has issued an advisory to stop cars with these wheels from use and interchange until those wheel sets can be replaced,” AAR spokeswoman Jessica Kahanek told industry media outlet Trains.com.

“This is an uncommon defect to see in a wheelset that demanded urgent action,” Kahanek added. “This is a voluntary, proactive step aimed at ensuring equipment health and integrity.”

The derailment that occurred in Springfield was among a number of incidents that triggered an NTSB investigation into Norfolk Southern. The train operator has been under fire in recent weeks following the East Palestine, Ohio, incident that led to the controlled burn and release of toxic chemicals that sparked a number of lawsuits against the company.

In a statement to Trains.com, Norfolk Southern said that after the Springfield derailment, the firm “determined that a specific model and series of railcars had loose wheels, which could cause a derailment.” The Epoch Times has contacted Norfolk Southern for comment.

“The investigative team identified these wheels as coming from a series of recently acquired cars from a specific manufacturer,” the statement said. “Although the investigation into the cause of the accident is still underway, we immediately notified the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration and began inspecting other cars from this series on our network.”

The firm added that after it noticed “cases of unusual wheel movement,” it acted to address the issue.

“We issued orders to remove these cars from service until their wheelsets could be replaced, and we have taken steps to remove this specific model and series from service until they can be fully inspected,” Norfolk said. “We also notified the manufacturer and worked urgently to inform the rest of the railroad industry, as Norfolk Southern is not the only user of these cars. As a result, the Association of American Railroads issued an advisory to halt the use of these cars. Norfolk Southern will continue to investigate this matter and take appropriate action.”

Other Details

Just hours before the alert was issued Thursday, another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama, according to the firm. The train was not carrying any hazardous materials, and no injuries were reported.

A train operated by Norfolk Southern derailed in Calhoun County, Alabama, on March 9, 2023. Calhoun County Sheriff's Office

“Norfolk Southern is responding to a derailment in Piedmont, Alabama,” the company said in a statement on March 9. “There are no reports of injuries and no reports of a hazardous materials release. We are working in close coordination with local officials.”

Another Norfolk Southern train derailed on Feb. 16 in Van Buren township, Michigan.  No hazardous materials were on that train, officials said.

Also Thursday, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that his company is “determined to make this right“ and that ”Norfolk Southern will clean the site safely, thoroughly and with urgency. You have my personal commitment.”

Since the East Palestine derailment, the company has announced several safety upgrades. Shaw said his firm used $1 billion the company on safety last year, but he noted Norfolk Southern also spent more than $3 billion buying back its own stock.

Reuters contributed to this report.