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Last week, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a safety advisory urging railroads to ensure maintenance-of-way (MOW) equipment is operated by qualified individuals and properly inspected, and complies with federal safety regulations that apply to different types of MOW equipment.

The advisory addresses safety concerns raised by a November 2006 rail grinder train accident on a line between Sparks, Nev., and Bakersfield, Calif. The accident caused 10 of 13 cars to derail and killed two workers employed by the grinding contractor. During a preliminary investigation, FRA officials determined neither train operator was familiar with the rail line and the MOW train had numerous mechanical defects.

The contractor involved in the accident — which wasn’t identified — has voluntarily stopped using its rail-grinding vehicles until the FRA completes safety inspections on all trains and similar MOW equipment owned by other grinding service providers, according to the administration.