The Nation - News from Sept. 19, 1988

Financially motivated maintenance cutbacks by the nation’s railroads have caused dangerous track conditions and increased derailments, the Pittsburgh Press said in a copyright story. The Pennsylvania newspaper reported the number of multiple-car derailments and large releases of hazardous materials nationwide increased 35% last month, compared to August of last year. Nationwide, 159 people were injured in 32 major train accidents; 31 motorists were killed in crossings; 19 killed along the tracks and at least five railroad workers were killed or died on the job, the paper reported. Donald Rugh, a rail safety inspector with the Ohio Public Safety Commission, said “risk taking has become a part of railroads doing business.”