BLACKWELL, Okla. (KSNW) — The Federal Railroad Administration has shut down a railroad that operated between Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Wellington, Kansas over what it calls “a complete disregard for the safety of the public.”
The Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad has been under investigation since a derailment that happened on Dec. 27, 2023. The administration says problems began after the railroad was purchased on Oct. 1.
Since that date, the FRA says the railroad has had two derailments and an incident where a train nearly collided with a passenger vehicle during what they called “a highly dangerous movement of on-track equipment through an unprotected highway-rail grade crossing.”
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The FRA says in addition to BNGR’s complete disregard for public safety, the railroad has not resolved issues that “pose an imminent threat of injury or death.” According to the agency, the railroad has no qualified engineers and conductors, has not provided training for qualified engineers and conductors, and hasn’t maintained any safety records, or records of employees qualified to perform inspections and operate inspection equipment.