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Trains News Wire

FRA shuts down Oklahoma short line

 

By David Lassen | February 6, 2024

 

Agency finds Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad was operating ‘with complete disregard for safety of the public’

 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued an emergency order shutting down the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad, a 37-mile, Class III short line in Oklahoma, saying the railroad is “operating with a complete disregard for the safety of the public and has not taken corrective action to resolve safety issues … posing imminent risks of injury or death.”

 

The FRA order, issued Feb. 2 and signed by FRA Administrator Amit Bose, took effect Feb. 3. It says an agency investigation found a “pattern of gross negligence and willful failures to comply with Federal safety regulations … [that] persuades FRA that reliance alone upon the assurances and cooperation of BNGR is not possible, consistent with public safety.” It requires the railroad to take 14 steps regarding certification, inspection, and safety programs before the FRA will conduct inspections and determine whether the railroad can resume operation, and assesses more than $177,000 in penalties.

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Federal Register, 2/8/24

 

Emergency Order To Prevent Operation of Trains and Other On-Track Rail Equipment on Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the United States Department of Transportation has determined that public safety compels the issuance of an Emergency Order (Order) requiring the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad (BNGR) of Blackwell, Oklahoma, to discontinue operation of all trains, locomotives, and any other on-track rail vehicles or equipment under any circumstances over any track BNGR leases or owns, including the rail line extending from milepost (MP) 0.09 at Wellington, Kansas, to MP 35.35 at Blackwell, Oklahoma, and from MP 127.0 to MP 125.0 at Blackwell until BNGR complies with all requirements of this Order.

 

SNIP

 

Background

 

BNGR operates on approximately 37 miles of rail line owned by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA). The line extends from Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Wellington, Kansas, where BNGR interchanges with BNSF Railway. All track on the BNGR line is designated as “excepted” track, meaning that trains are limited to speeds of 10 miles per hour. BNGR operations on all track is further designated as “yard limits,” meaning that crews must be prepared to stop within one half the range of vision at all times when moving trains and engines. BNGR ownership changed on or about October 1, 2023. FRA is aware of several serious incidents that have occurred following the change in BNGR ownership, including two derailments and a highly dangerous movement of on-track equipment through an unprotected highway-rail grade crossing, narrowly missing a collision with a passenger vehicle.

 

 

FRA recently began investigating BNGR's operations following a derailment that occurred on December 27, 2023. FRA has found that BNGR is operating with a complete disregard for the safety of the public and has not taken corrective action to resolve safety issues identified by FRA as posing imminent risks of injury or death.  . . .

 

 

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Progressive Railroading, 2/29/24

 

Oklahoma DOT asks STB to OK alternative rail service on Blackwell line

 

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA) this week petitioned the Surface Transportation Board for an emergency service order that would allow alternative rail service on a line formerly operated by the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad Co. (BNGR).

 

SNIP

 

ODOT and BIA are seeking the emergency service order from the STB following the Federal Railroad Administration's decision to shut down BNGR operations due to serious violations of rail safety regulations.  . . .

 

 

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Railfan and Railroad, 3/4/24

 

STB Approves Rock Island Takeover of Embattled Oklahoma Short Line

 

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has given Rock Island Rail permission to operate the embattled Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad in Oklahoma. 

Last week, the owners of the short line asked the STB for an emergency service order to allow Rock Island to replace the contract operator for at least 30 days.  . . .

 

SNIP

 

In last week’s request for an emergency service order, the owners of the line stated it was unlikely that the previous operator would be able to take the corrective actions needed to resume service. 

 

 

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Progressive Railroading, 3/5/24

 

STB allows alternative service on Oklahoma rail line

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on March 1 approved the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's request to allow the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad LLC (Rock Island) to provide temporary rail service over a rail line owned by the state and Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA).

 

The STB decision allows the Rock Island to operate freight trains for 30 days along about 37 miles of rail line that Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad (BNGR) had operated until the short line was shut down last month due to violations of federal rail safety regulations.

 

The line extends from Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Wellington, Kansas, where BNGR interchanged with BNSF Railway Co.

 

 

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