Freight train speeds to increase up to 4 times in Maine

Jan. 22—Freight trains will soon be traveling up to four times faster through parts of Maine after a railroad company made significant track improvements to meet federal safety standards.

CSX Transportation, which operates on 481 miles of track and maintains 269 public grade crossings in Maine, will increase some train speeds to 40 mph in the coming weeks. That's up from 10 to 25 mph, depending on track locations.

The speed increase follows a recent Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram investigation into derailments that found the eight companies running freight through Maine are responsible for maintaining their own tracks, mostly police themselves and too often fail to report accidents and injuries.

Officials in Auburn, Lewiston, Monmouth, Winthrop and Waterville are urging motorists and others to pay attention to signs and signals at railroad crossings, according to announcements posted on municipal websites and social media.

CSX plans to phase in the speed increase over the next 30 to 90 days, spokesperson Sheriee Bowman said in a statement to the Press Herald.

Track speed is regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration based on track condition, Bowman said. The increase to 40 mph reflects infrastructure improvements that CSX planned when it purchased Pan Am Railways in 2022, acquiring 1,700 miles of track throughout New England and New York.

"Track improvements have been completed to allow for the safe increase in train speeds," Bowman said.

Improvements in Maine included installing more than 50 miles of continuous-welded rail, replacing about 47,000 cross ties and resurfacing the entire line, Bowman said.

However, while track condition dictates the maximum speed allowed by the federal agency, "trains can and often do travel at lower speeds," Bowman said.

Increased track speeds are expected to enhance freight efficiency, capacity and accessibility along the rail corridor.

"These operational changes will improve connectivity for manufacturers, farmers, ports and other contributors to the area's economic growth," Bowman said.

Lewiston officials noted recent track improvements in their announcement.

"CSX's major upgrades to tracks now allow them to safely operate at higher speeds," they said.

In its Jan. 14 notice to Monmouth officials, CSX said trains will operate through the rural community according to federal regulations.

"Please be assured that this change in speed should not have any impact on grade crossing safety in your community," the notice says.

CSX and other companies operate on 1,125 miles of track across Maine and carry nearly 4 million tons of freight annually, according to the Association of American Railroads. A majority of freight traveling through Maine consists of pulp, paper, lumber and other wood products, as well as refined petroleum, minerals, chemicals and food.

Recent reported freight train incidents in Maine include a derailment that spilled diesel fuel in Penobscot County, a collision with a truck in Waldo County, and a death on the tracks in Old Orchard Beach.

Auburn officials offered the following safety tips in light of the speed increase:

— Always assume a train is coming as you approach railroad tracks.

— Leave at least 15 feet between your vehicle and train tracks when stopping.

— Before starting to cross, be sure you can clear the crossing without stopping.

— Remember that trains cannot stop quickly — a freight train traveling 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop.

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