It's been about five months since a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals crashed

in East Palestine, a town right on the edge of the Ohio Pennsylvania border a little south

of Youngstown.

A number of the cars were carrying hazardous materials, and in an attempt to avoid a possible

explosion, there was a controlled, days-long burn of those chemicals.

It was within a mile radius of the crash were evacuated.

Days later, the evacuation order was lifted, and some residents say they developed rashes

in nausea.

The crash became a national flashpoint and a hot button issue on both sides of the

aisle.

Not long after the derailment, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw found himself in front of

Congress, being grilled by a group of bipartisan lawmakers.

In March, Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts asked Shaw whether he would

support legislation requiring two-person train crews at minimum.

Shaw didn't answer.

Senator, we'll commit to using research and technology to assure the railroad operates

safely.

Will you commit to a two-person crew on all trains?

Senator, we're a data-driven organization, and I'm not aware of any data that links crew

size with safety.

The Railway Safety Act of 2023 proposed stricter safety regulations, including mandating

two-person crews on freight trains.

...