ailroads warn of nationwide meltdown if extension not granted for safety requirements

WASHINGTON – Railroads are warning Congress that if they don’t get more time to install new safety equipment on their rail lines by the end of October, there will be a nationwide freight and passenger meltdown at the end of the year that could affect everything from grain operations to farmers seeking fertilizer to Minnesota passengers trying to get to Chicago.

Dow Chemical, the American Chemistry Council and others are sounding alarms that they will be unable to ship products to vast sections of the United States — including Minnesota — if freight trains stop hauling their materials.

http://www.startribune.com/railroads-warn-of-nationwide-meltdown-if-extension-not-granted-for-safety-requirements/331951581/