Pennsylvania congressman asks FRA, Norfolk Southern about recent Altoona-area derailments
WASHINGTON - A Pennsylvania congressman is asking the Federal Railroad Administration and Norfolk Southern for explanations about a series of derailments in the Altoona area this year. U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-Altoona) has written FRA Administrator David Fink and the railroad to ask a series of questions about four derailments in Blair County, Pa., since February of this year. The most recent, on Oct. 23 in Altoona, involved at least 11 railcars [see "NS train derails …," Oct. 23, 2026]. Some cars carried hazardous materials, although no spills occurred. Among the half-dozen questions in the letter to Fink are whether the FRA has investigated the possibility of a common link among the derailments, and if it has determined steps that need to be taken to prevent future incidents. Joyce's letter to NS CEO Mark George includes questions about an infrastructure plan to address the…
