Forty-seven chimes rang at Sainte-Agnès de Lac-Mégantic Church in Quebec, Canada, on July 6. They honored lives lost but not forgotten in a community renowned for banding together after a horrific oil train wreck. Now this community faces a threat that could tear it apart: a plan to expropriate land to reroute the rail line. 

Standing alongside residents at Lac-Mégantic’s 10th Anniversary Memorial March were members of Illinois’ La Coalition Rail Safety Campaign. “Please know American eyes are watching, American ears are hearing, and Americans are here to show their love and support for you in what we’ve learned to be an enormously difficult time,” said Gerri Songer, Campaign Liaison for La Coalition – USA. “Canadian railroads are American railroads, their safety is our safety, and their struggle is also ours.”

No train derailment in our railroading history showcases the systemic failure of private railroad industry more comprehensively than the tragedy of Lac-Mégantic, according to Fritz Edler, a veteran railroader and railroad safety activist based in Washington, D.C., as well as a representative for Railroad Workers United.

“Years before July 6, 2013, residents reported the industry for rolling poorly maintained, longer and heavier convoys carrying more crude oil, propane, and other chemicals on worn-out rails,” said Gilbert Carette, a member of Lac-Mégantic’s Citizens’ Coalition for Railroad Safety. However, there’s a conflict of interest when “security inspections are made by the companies themselves and are approved by their own authorities.”

La Coalition - Lac-Mégantic continues to call for a public inquiry into the 2013 train derailment, explosion, and fire. In addition, members demand that government authorities take back control of railroad regulation.

Railroad Workers United also advocates for public control of railroads.

Unfortunately, railroad conditions have deteriorated since 2013. Trains are longer, heavier, and travel more often on turn of the century railroads using braking systems developed in the 1800s.  

Rail and trackside communities must remain vigilant in their efforts to advocate for railroad safety. Please ask your local and state elected officials to support increased funding for local and state emergency responses. 

For more information, contact Gerri Songer or visit the La-Coalition.org website.

Photo of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking with Lac-Mégantic residents, courtesy of La Coalition Rail Safety Campaign