Ahead of Second Anniversary of Norfolk Southern’s Train Derailment, Deluzio Previews 2025 Rail Safety Push

TARENTUM, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) renewed his push to pass rail safety legislation to protect our communities. Ahead of the two-year anniversary of Norfolk Southern’s toxic train derailment just across from Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District, he announced his intent to introduce new rail safety legislation building off the 2023 Railway Safety Act. Congressman Deluzio also called on President Trump and Vice President Vance to use their power to push the Republican-controlled Congress to pass the bill to comprehensively improve safety for the millions of Americans who have freight railroad tracks going through their communities. 

At his event, Congressman Deluzio was joined by Tarentum Borough officials to discuss a local effort to push Norfolk Southern to improve a dangerous rail crossing in the Borough.   

“It’s been two years since Norfolk Southern’s disastrous derailment in East Palestine. If President Trump and Vice President Vance are serious about protecting our communities, now’s the time for them to step up. The White House has a chance to pressure Congressional Republicans to finally pass the Railway Safety Act, and I stand ready to work with them in this effort,” said Congressman Deluzio. “We know we cannot trust the big railroads to regulate themselves. That’s why this Congress we have to pass strong rail safety requirements and implement the safety recommendations from the NTSB. I refuse to let communities like ours in Western PA get treated like collateral damage in the way of corporate profits.” 

Before his election to the Vice Presidency, J.D. Vance co-led the Senate version of Congressman Deluzio’s bipartisan bill, the Railway Safety Act. Then-Senator Vance said himself that “[r]ailroad industry safety standards are getting worse...We can reverse the trend by passing the Railway Safety Act immediately.” Further, President Trump previously endorsed the Railway Safety Act before his 2024 election. 

Congressman Deluzio held this rail safety event in Tarentum today to highlight the ways railroads and their related infrastructure impact communities in Western Pennsylvania. Tarentum Borough is straddled by railroad tracks and has had major safety concerns with Norfolk Southern Railroad, which has let one of their railroad crossings in the middle of town get into extremely poor condition. Only after months of persistence from Borough leaders and pressure from Congressman Deluzio did Norfolk Southern finally fix up its crossing in November 2024. 

Congressman Deluzio’s legislation includes requirements to prevent blocked railroad crossings and improve crossing safety. He will also have the Transportation Secretary report to Congress every two years on their implementation of the NTSB recommendations of their investigation into the 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also says that Congress should look more closely at grade-crossing safety, which is the site of the country’s most deadly incidents involving trains.  

"Tarentum faced significant challenges with this crossing, and it wasn't until Congressman Deluzio stepped in that Norfolk Southern took action,” said Scott Dadowski, Tarentum Borough Council President. “Communities across Pennsylvania and the country face similar struggles, reminding us of the importance of stronger oversight. We're proud to stand with Congressman Deluzio in supporting the Railway Safety Act." 

"The old crossing was a serious obstacle for our fire trucks and ambulances, slowing response times when every second can mean the difference between life and death. It also posed a danger to EMS crews and drivers, with deteriorating conditions and frequent train traffic creating unnecessary risks. The repaired crossing has greatly improved safety, allowing our emergency vehicles to operate more efficiently and ensuring smoother traffic flow for the community,” said Brad James, Chief of Eureka, Fire, Rescue and EMS. “This underscores the critical need for stronger federal oversight to prioritize safety and protect the lives of first responders and residents alike." 

Building off the bipartisan Railway Safety Act and Railroad Safety Enhancement Act, Congressman Deluzio will continue to push for comprehensive rail safety legislation this Congress.  

• The Railway Safety Act would institute requirements for wayside defect detectors, increase fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers, enhance safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, establish a permanent requirement for railroads to operate with at least two-person crews, and more.  
   
• Congressman Deluzio also plans to introduce legislation to require the Secretary to report to Congress every two years on how they are implementing the recommendations put forth in the NTSB’s final report on the East Palestine Derailment. 
   
• The DERAIL Act would impose stricter regulations on trains carrying hazardous materials. The bill would direct the head of the Department of Transportation to modify the definition of 'high-hazard flammable train' to mean a single train transporting one or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid or a Class 2 flammable gas and other materials the secretary determines necessary for safety. 
   
• The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would create a new fund—paid for by companies that ship and carry these materials—to provide emergency responders, firefighters, and law enforcement with the financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime, and address other urgent costs as well as compel railroads to notify local officials and emergency response groups when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.   

Photos of the press conference and rail crossing visit in Tarentum can be viewed here. Video of the event is available here. 

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