General Concerns of rail transportation – moving passengers
Rail transportation is a popular mode of transport for many people. However, some general concerns need to be considered. In Lac Megantic in Quebec, East Palestine in Ohio, and Larissa in Greece, the railway network is an important part of daily life. People use it to commute to work or to travel between cities. However, people have some reservations about rail transportation due to its inherent risks. Safety is the biggest concern with rail transportation. Accidents and derailments can result in loss of life and property damage. This was seen in 2013, with the tragedy in Lac Megantic, where 47 people were killed due to a train derailment causing an explosion and fire (Horrific lac-mégantic train disaster | CBC News 2013). Similarly, there have been multiple accidents on railways in both East Palestine and Larissa, resulting in fatalities and significant disruption for local communities (National Transportation Safety Board, 2023).
Cities Background
Lac Megantic, Quebec, has had a tumultuous past regarding rail transportation. In 2013, an accident involving the transportation of crude oil spilled into the town and resulted in multiple casualties (BBC News, 2013). This tragedy was a major blow not only to Lac Megantic but also to the entire rail industry. Since then, much effort has been made to improve the safety standards of railway transportation. Today, rail transportation continues to move passengers around Lac Megantic with stringent regulations and updated infrastructure. The government of Quebec oversees resource allocation and development projects throughout the city aimed at creating an efficient and dependable passenger service for residents of Lac Megantic. The local railway lines now feature improved track conditions and newer locomotives that offer smoother and more reliable rides than ever before.
East Palestine, Ohio, has had a thriving railway system since the late 19th century. Located in the state’s northwest corner, it is one of the oldest towns to have an active rail line still. The city’s rail transportation system has been used over many years to move passengers from location to location on their daily commute or long-distance travel (Staff, 2023). The East Palestine railroad station is a hub for commuters traveling in and out of town. Passengers can easily purchase tickets at the ticket window and board their trains. Platforms are equipped with multiple track lines that allow for efficient boarding and disembarking of trains.
Larissa, Greece, is a city in the Thessaly region of Greece. The city’s modern rail transportation system provides efficient service for locals and visitors. According to information from the official website of TrainOSE, the railway company in Greece, the rail transportation system in Larissa includes both regular and express services, with trains running on a frequent schedule throughout the day. The railway network connects Larissa with other major cities in Greece, including Athens, Thessaloniki, and Volos. In addition, the rail transportation system in Larissa has been recognized for its environmental benefits (TrainOSE, n.d.).
Cause of derailment
The cause of the derailment of Lac Mégantic, Quebec, rail transportation was rooted in negligence and a lack of sufficient safety measures. The operator had not properly secured the locomotive that was carrying hazardous materials. Because the engine had been left unattended, it eventually rolled down seven miles of the track without brakes. In addition to inadequate safety measures, the human error also played a role in this disaster. Evidence suggests several key mistakes made by management and operations personnel on numerous occasions before the accident that could have been corrected or prevented altogether if certain precautions had been taken (Angelich, 2019).
East Palestine, Ohio, the rail transportation system has been experiencing a derailment of service for moving passengers. According to Goldman (2023), service disruption is due to an aging infrastructure and a lack of funding for repair and maintenance. The tracks have yet to receive the necessary repairs or upgrades to keep them running safely and effectively, resulting in the frequent derailment of trains carrying passengers. Many businesses use this form of transportation, and the delays caused by these derailing incidents create economic hardship for those companies. Furthermore, many people rely heavily on public transport as part of their daily routine; a reliable train system is essential. East Palestine’s government should invest more money into track repairs, improvement projects, and new technologies, such as automated systems that detect problems before they cause further damage to the rail lines.
Larissa’s rail transportation system is important to the city’s infrastructure. It serves many commuters, tourists, and locals alike. Unfortunately, derailment has become a regular occurrence, causing delays and disruption of services. As Tanno (2023) highlights, the main cause of these derailments can be attributed to a few factors. Firstly, the tracks in Larissa need to be updated and have not been maintained properly over the years. This has caused them to degrade faster than expected, making it easier for trains to jump off the tracks as they speed up or slow down suddenly. Secondly, poor construction standards have also led to track misalignment, which increases the chances of derailment significantly. Also, inadequate safety measures taken by engineers while operating trains is another major contributing factor that has been linked to this problem in recent times.
Similarities
Rail transportation is a form of transportation that has been around for centuries and is still used in many places around the world today. An overview by Campbell (2023) depicts that Lac Megantic, Quebec, East Palestine, Ohio, and Larissa, Greece are very different locations. However, they all have one thing in common: rail transportation to move passengers. In Lac Megantic, the passenger rail service provides daily commuter service to Montreal for residents who need to get to work or school quickly and conveniently. East Palestine, Ohio, has a historic railroad line with old-style cabooses that offer scenic rides through town. Meanwhile, in Larissa, Greece, an extensive train network connects the city with other parts of the country and international destinations such as Bulgaria and Turkey. All three locations rely on trains to move their citizens from place to place efficiently and safely.
Conclusion
Rail transportation has connected people around the world for centuries. In Lac Megantic, Quebec, East Palestine, Ohio Larissa, Greece, rail travel has been a primary intercity transport between larger cities. Unfortunately, rail in some areas can be inefficient and unreliable due to outdated systems and lack of investment. However, recent efforts are being made to improve the efficiency and convenience of rail transportation in these locations. In Lac Megantic, new high-speed trains have been introduced featuring modern amenities such as Wi-Fi connection and wider seats for greater comfort during long journeys. Additionally, advanced signaling systems have been set up along the tracks allowing for fewer delays which helps make journeys more efficient overall. In East Palestine, Ohio, a new express train service was recently launched, connecting it to nearby towns with much faster travel times than before.
References
Angelich, C. D. (2019). Trope of Containment: Shale Oil, Risk Rhetoric, and the Lac-Mégantic Disaster (Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota).Retrieved from https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/AMBPP.2019.30
BBC News. (2013, July 29). Canada train blast: Lac-Megantic residents return home. BBC
Campbell, M. (2023, February 22). Train Safety, then and now. The Cape Breton Spectator. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://capebretonspectator.com/2023/02/15/lac-megantic-east-palestine-train/
CBC/Radio Canada. (2013, December 25). Horrific lac-mégantic train disaster voted Canada’s Top News Story of the year | CBC News. Cockneys. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/lac-m%C3%A9gantic-train-disaster-voted-top-news-story-of-2013-1.2476212
Goldman, B. (2023). East Palestine, OH, Train Derailment and Hazardous Materials Shipment by Rail: Frequently Asked Questions (No. R47435).
NTSB issues investigative update on Ohio train derailment. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20230214.aspx
Staff, T. W. (2023, March 11). Regulating the rails. The Week. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://theweek.com/briefing/1021662/regulating-the-rails
Tanno, S. (2023, March 1). Greek Transport minister resigns after fatal crash, saying rail system “is not up to 21st century standards”. CNN. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/greece-larissa-train-collision- intl/h_f8a73e04221d08b6a03086b00b5605e0
TrainOSE. TrainOSE Information | Travel Classes Onboard the Train. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://rail.ninja/train/ose-greece-train
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