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Freight railroads' comprehensive post-Sept. 11, 2001, security plan recently received an "A" from The Washington Post.


After conducting an analysis of private industries' security efforts, the newspaper determined that freight railroads successfully established a progressive series of counter-terrorism measures based on threats to the industry.


Railroads increased cyber security, spot identification checks, tracking and inspection of certain shipments, security of assets and employee training, and implemented new encryption technology for selected data communications.


Association of American Railroads also created a Department of Defense-certified Information and Sharing Analysis Center that links railroads 24/7 with appropriate national security intelligence officials to share information and respond to threats.


In the event of military action against Iraq, railroads plan to increase real-time surveillance of designated trains, boost security at certain yards, and conduct more inspections of priority track, tunnels and bridges, according to a Kansas City Southern statement.