Two of the nation’s four major railroad systems cross through West Virginia.
These lines are CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway.
CSX is probably best known here for once owning The Greenbrier Resort.
The system operates broadly in the eastern United States. It is important for transporting coal, chemicals, and other forms of freight along the eastern seaboard and into the Midwest.
Norfolk Southern is also a major carrier in the eastern and southeastern United States.
It is known for transporting coal and automotive parts, and consumer goods.
Furthermore, the state has a number of other small haulage lines – known as short lines — that operate in various sections of the state and tie into the main lines when necessary.
We are uniquely located in the middle of most north-south and east-west transportation systems in the eastern and Midwestern U.S.
Thousands of miles of railroad track crisscross West Virginia.
It is the duty of the railroad section of the Public Service Commission to make sure those tracks and the trains that run on them do so safely. Our small group of inspectors in this section are diligent about their work.
This is important to you because a host of other items that are very dangerous if spilled are also shipped on rails.
These include lithium batteries that are highly flammable if damaged.
Products like ethanol, gasoline and industrial solvents are flammable liquids and they require specialized containment.
Rail lines ship compressed gases, including propane, butane and industrial oxygen. They are transported under pressure and subject to strict controls.
Acid, alkalis and other corrosive substances are carried by train and can cause severe chemical burns if spilled.
Also, radioactive materials may be shipped by rail, although that is less likely to occur across West Virginia.
Last year, the PSC railroad team inspected 4,201 miles of track. During that time, they identified 1,702 defective track conditions.
The PSC inspected more than 40,000 railroad cars and locomotives and identified more than 2,000 defective cars.
We also inspected 178 highway-rail crossings.
While not as important or as powerful as they once were, railroads still play a vital role in the commerce of the United States.
And the Public Service Commission does not underrate the importance of us keeping a vigilant eye on this still-vital transportation system in our state.
We literally walk the line for you.
