Accident shows CN must be watched

It was never a matter of “if” only a matter of “when” the Canadian National Railroad would have a wreck on the old EJ&E tracks. This time it is Bartlett. And, the next time, well, who knows?

When it was pointed out to the Surface Transportation Board, prior to the CN purchase that they had the worst safety record in Canada, the board said it wasn’t relative to an American purchase. The allegations of a “CN profit before safety policy” should have been a warning. The EJ&E had been in decline since World War II. I know that, as the line fell to limited use, maintenance became minimal at best.

When the economy improves, the frequency of heavier, longer trains pounding those EJ&E tracks will take a toll. I was a Lake Zurich village trustee who fought the merger and worked with the regional committee. The STB ended up approving the purchase and should be commended for requiring precedent-setting conditions. When the CN refused to accurately report train stoppages along the line, the STB imposed fines and enforced the requirement.

I believe the STB should step in again. CN safety studies and reports on the condition of their EJ&E line should be suspect. An independent safety study covering every inch of track, the track bed, rails, ties, and safety-related equipment should be required and paid for by the CN.

Those results should be submitted to both the STB and the National Transportation Board for their evaluations.

Let’s not have another Bartlett.

Jim Johnson

Lake Zurich