Norfolk Southern Whistle-Stop Train Delivers Safety Training to Emergency Responders in Alabama

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A special train will travel across Alabama Sept. 20-24 to provide emergency preparedness training to first responders as part of the 2010 Norfolk Southern TRANSCAER Whistle-Stop Tour. TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) is a nationwide program that assists communities in preparing for and responding to a possible hazardous material transportation incident.

"The TRANSCAER Whistle-Stop Tour brings emergency preparedness training to response organizations and educates communities near major rail routes about rail equipment, chemical transportation and the importance of planning for potential hazardous material transportation emergencies," said David Julian, Norfolk Southern's vice president safety and environmental.

The tour kicks off in Mobile, and makes stops in McIntosh, Selma, Jasper, and Muscle Shoals. More than 1,000 emergency responders are expected to participate in the training programs taught by chemical and rail transportation experts. At each location, state and local emergency planning committees, emergency responders, and government officials can participate in hands-on drills and training sessions. Railroad training tank cars, specialized emergency response vehicles, and over-the-road tank trucks will be on display. More than 200 participants are expected at each stop.

The schedule for the 2010 TRANSCAER Whistle-Stop Tour will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as follows:

• Sept. 20 – Mobile AL, NS Mobile Yard, 72 Beauregard St.
• Sept. 21 – McIntosh AL, Olin ChlorAlkali Plant, 1638 Industrial Rd.
• Sept. 22 – Selma, AL, NS Selma Yard, 3200 Jeff Davis Ave.
• Sept. 23 – Jasper, AL, NS Rail Siding, 14th St. W. at 11th Ave.
• Sept. 24 – Muscle Shoals, AL, NS Sheffield Yard, 4500 S. Wilson Dam Rd.

This is the eleventh TRANSCAER train Norfolk Southern has sponsored since 1994. More information, including local contacts, tour times and program information, is available at www.transcaer.com. TRANSCAER members include volunteer representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation and distribution industries, and government. TRANSCAER sponsors include the Association of American Railroads, American Chemistry Council, The Chlorine Institute, Chemical Educational Foundation, and National Tank Truck Carriers Inc.

The following companies and organizations are participating in the tour: DuPont, Firefighters Education and Training Foundation, BASF, Hepaco Inc., EPS of Vermont, Olin Corp., Operation Lifesaver of Alabama, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Potash Corporation, Eagle/SWS, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Services, SPSI, Marion Environmental, and Norfalco.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies.  Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections to western rail carriers.  Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America's largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation