Hampton Roads first responders get training to handle potential railroad disasters
Norfolk Southern agrees to $600M settlement in fiery Ohio derailment. Locals fear it's not enough
This week, Norfolk Southern's Safety Train rolled into its namesake city for the first time in five years.
The colorful consist, pulled by an aptly numbered '911' locomotive, contains not only classroom space, but an example of each of the railroad's railcars that transport hazardous materials.
First responders not only had the opportunity to tour the equipment, but also were put through lifelike scenarios they could face along the miles of tracks crisscrossing the Tidewater region.
David Patten, Norfolk Southern's regional manager for hazardous materials, said the safety train is invaluable for several reasons.
Toxins from Ohio train derailment may have spread to 16 states, including Virginia, data shows
'It's an opportunity for us to bring out an actual train, to train first responders on how to manage a rail incident,' Patten said. 'Get hands on training with the rail equipment, go through the locomotives and just get some familiarity with the equipment and also, you know, make some relationships and get some contacts within the railroad.'
Six different railroads operate in Hampton Roads. While coal and shipping containers are commonly seen, Norfolk Southern trains also transport propane, crude oil, chlorine, propylene, sodium hydroxide and more.
In the case of East Palestine, butyl acrylate caught fire initially, according to an NTSB report.
'Knowing what's on the train is one of the most important things that they need to know,' Patten said. 'We train them on the car, how to get to it.'
Locally, assertions were made in the aftermath of the Spirit of Norfolk fire that lack of training by firefighters may have contributed to its spread.
Thursday was Capt. John Knowles second time through the Norfolk Southern training. As one of Norfolk Fire & Rescue's experts on hazardous materials, he said classrooms can only teach you so much.
'Any time, any time you're dealing with chemicals and unknowns, obviously everything is a potential poison,' Knowels said. 'Getting your hands on the equipment, looking at the exact devices, learning the intricacies of the railcars and the various types allows for more detail and a better memory, and it would have better apply it in the future.'
The Norfolk Southern Safety Train has been traveling the railroad's 22-state network for a decade. Last year, more than 5,500 first responders participated in the training.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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