Expert pushing for defect detectors as Ohio lawmakers consider rail safety

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Defect detector devices may not look like much, but experts say they are important in heading off train derailments like the one in East Palestine.

John Esterly with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen spoke to Ohio lawmakers Wednesday.

When a train rolls through, these detectors can spot a number of issues, according to Esterly. He believes a detector could have prevented the East Palestine derailment that led to an evacuation and releasing of toxic chemicals.

"The NTSB in their initial findings, have stated that it appears to be a wheel bearing failure that was kind of the root cause of the accident.

The union said that the nearest detector to East Palestine is located about 20 miles away. But Norfolk Southern won’t say if the problem was picked up before the crash.

“The National Transportation and Safety Board investigation is underway. We are unable to comment about the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment specifically,” the company said.

MORE | Prior to East Palestine derailment, another Northfolk Southern train crash in Ohio

They did say it has invested more than $200 million for nearly 1,000 ‘hot bearing’ detectors, generating more than 2 billion readings each year. When something abnormal is detected, a warning message is sent to the train so, if necessary, immediate action may be taken, including stopping the train.

Norfolk Southern would not say whether a reading that showed a defective wheel bearing requires immediate action under company policy.

"Unfortunately, in the absence of regulation, there’s no cause for the railroad to comply with any of the information that these defect detectors provide," Esterly told state lawmakers.

So even if a defect is detected, there’s no regulation that says a company or employee must stop and inspect that car.

Esterly and several Ohio legislators are pushing to pass those new requirements.