Bill aims to cap train length at 8,500 feet

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — One lawmaker is hoping to cap the length of trains to prevent safety and traffic issues through new legislation.

"They don't have the infrastructure to withstand the length of these trains that they have," said Rep. Ty Burns, R-Morrison.

Representative Burns filed House Bill 2830 or the Train Length Bill. The goal is to cap the length of trains at 8,500 feet, which is about 120 carts.

"Some of these trains are getting up to 15,000 feet, which you're getting to the three miles," said Burns.

Burns said when trains are that long and pull into rural rail yards in Oklahoma, they can't fully get off the tracks to let other trains pass.

"So, that's getting backed up in the yards where they're going. And I've talked to people in these yards and it becomes a huge safety factor," said Burns.

In the metro, drivers can often find routes to avoid trains or cities can build a way around it like the James Garner Corridor in Norman.

However, in rural Oklahoma, a short cut isn't always easy to find or build. The representative said it creates a safety risk for emergency vehicles and traffic.

"There's farmers and ranchers out here. They get stuck for hours, ultimately just walk home two miles home because they're sitting there for three or four hours," said Burns.

Burns said the railroad companies are also constitutionally protected because of interstate commerce.

"They're going to come at this big time," said Burns.

In a statement sent to News 4, the Oklahoma Railroad Association did not mention being protected by the Constitution. The full statement can be read below.

"Railroads have safely increased train length over the past several decades while improving our overall safety record. Since 2000, there has been a 42% drop in mainline accident rates for Class I railroads, and in Oklahoma in particular, derailments are down 30% over the last decade. 

Railroads carefully consider several factors when determining train length, such as terrain, placement of loaded versus empty containers, and the type of commodity being moved. Thanks to infrastructure enhancements, training programs and technological advancements for modeling and predictive analytics, great strides have been made in safely transporting the goods communities rely on.

In 2023, the median length of a train on Class 1 railroads was 5,300 feet. Just 10% of trains were longer than 9,600 feet.

Railroads want to keep trains moving and clear crossings as quickly and safely as possible so we continue efficiently serving our customers in Oklahoma and beyond who rely on rail transportation. A state regulation that requires reconfiguring trains once they cross state lines will result in inefficient service to Oklahoma industries and choke points in the nation’s supply chain. It will also result in more trains traveling over crossings and more public interaction.  

This bill will hurt Oklahoma businesses and consumers. We look forward to working together collaboratively with local and state partners to keep trains moving safely through communities and address longer-term infrastructure issues that can be mutually beneficial to the communities where we operate."

Lori A. Kromer Peterson
Executive Director
Oklahoma Railroad Association

"Being a little more efficient, I think it's not a hard thing to ask. I don't think," said Burns.

Burns said Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas have already passed a similar bill.