NS introduces new educational train and website

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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In keeping with the important railroad tradition of safety, Norfolk Southern rolled out a new educational train and website to help first responders across its network respond to potential rail-related incidents.

 

The train and website are part of Norfolk Southern’s Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program. OAR was launched in 2015 to cultivate and strengthen relationships with local first responders by providing classroom, web-based and field training on hazardous materials transportation, as well as information about rail operations.

The NS hazmat safety train is comprised of: A 2,000-horsepower, 273-ton locomotive painted in honor of emergency responders with insignia recognizing police, fire and emergency services; two boxcars converted into classrooms, each capable of holding 30 people; four styles of tank cars, including DOT-105, DOT-111, DOT-112 and DOT-117, to illustrate a variety of car valves and fittings and two, 89-foot flatcars designed to transport intermodal containers.

“The NS hazmat safety train is like a rolling classroom, delivering hands-on training directly to emergency responders in communities along our rail lines,” said John Irwin, Norfolk Southern assistant vice president safety and environmental. “We are committed to moving these materials as safely and efficiently as possible and building partnerships with emergency first responders across our network is a vital part of operating a safe rail network.”

Norfolk Southern also launched its new JoinNSOAR.com website to provide the public with information about transporting hazardous materials and the economic benefits of moving hazardous materials by rail.

The NS hazmat safety train will travel to 14 states across the railroad’s network.

Last year, Norfolk Southern provided training for 4,792 emergency responders, government officials, members of the media and others in 18 states. The training included classroom seminars, hands-on sessions with rolling stock, table-top simulations, full-scale drills and exercises at training centers operated by NS and the Association of American Railroads. Norfolk Southern also was involved in developing the AskRail™ mobile app, which provides real time rail information to first responders.

 

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