FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A BNSF Railway official says new safety testing and maintenance has begun on a stretch near Casselton where there have been five train accidents in the last decade.
The most recent mishap on Nov. 14 caused 21 cars of an eastbound train carrying lumber and paper and 12 cars of a westbound train carrying empty oil tankers to derail. Officials say the accident was caused by a broken rail. There were no injuries.
BNSF vice president Gregory Fox said in a letter to public officials Monday that the railway is doubling its rail detection testing frequency, installing more equipment detectors, and sending in more workers to conduct maintenance.
Fox also said the railway will replace rail relay and ties within a seven-mile range of Casselton in 2015.
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