HIGHER SPEEDS TRANSLATE INTO COST SAVINGS

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. -- Burlington Northern could save up to $1,800 a day by increasing its trains speed to 55 mph through several Southeast Missouri towns.

And, it would be safer for the communities, a Burlington Northern trainmaster said.

Bill Mays, a trainmaster based in Blytheville, manages the railroad from Chaffee to Turrell, Ark., 50 miles south of Blytheville.

The operating costs on a train is about $600 an hour, Mays said. Slowing down and picking up speed adds to the wear and tear on the trains and the time it takes to make a run.

Mays estimated the six trains that run daily through Southeast Missouri would save a minimum of 30 minutes each if they could keep their speed at 55 mph through the towns instead of slowing down to 30 mph.

"You're talking a substantial amount of money in a year," Mays said.

Burlington Northern is set to run its trains 55 mph through Holland, Steele and Portageville beginning April 1.

The railroad has also requested speed increases for Hayti, Lilbourn and Sikeston.

Mays said he has worked with the Missouri Division of Transportation in proposing the speed limit increases.

States took the authority from local communities to regulate train speed following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that those limits impeded interstate commerce.

The Missouri Legislature rescinded the right for towns to set speed limits two years ago, Mays said,giving that authority to the Division of Transportation.

The Division of Transportation has approved the 55 mph request for Holland, said Richard Mooney, the division's railroad safety engineer. His division has made counterproposals for the other five towns.

"We feel the proposals will be a safe method of operation," Mays said, adding that the railroad's engineering department checked the tracks and equipment and assured the division the faster speeds would be safe.

Across the nation, there are fewer crossing accidents when trains are running at higher speeds, Mays said, adding that people have less impatience because the trains move out of the way quicker.

"The biggest share of accidents occurs within 25 miles of home," Mays said. "People get familiar with the crossing and don't pay attention. With the higher speeds, people are more cognizant that the trains are running faster and take less chances to beat the train."

Mays said the railroad doesn't want any accidents and is as concerned about safety as the general public, but the proposed higher speeds would be as safe or safer than when trains slow down through the small towns.

Mooney agreed that local citizens generally have more respect for trains at higher speeds and take less chances. Crossings are blocked for a shorter period of time, something that's important for emergency vehicles, he said.

Mooney said his division's goal is to enhance safety. Most proposals include gates and flashing lights that operate 25 to 30 seconds before a train reaches a crossing. The cost to upgrade a crossing is estimated at $100,000.