Senator Baldwin Demands Accountability After CPKC Derailment in Wisconsin
24.10.2025
The recent derailment in Wisconsin is the latest in a series involving CPKC that has prompted Senator Tammy Baldwin to call for safety reforms and transparency from the company’s leadership.
This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
CPKC Derailment Raises Questions About Rail Safety
Senator Tammy Baldwin has called on CPKC to look into its safety issues following two derailments in only two years in Reeseville, Wisconsin. The derailment on August 15 resulted in a train carrying crude oil, with two of the 24 cars compromised, spilling their contents. Given another derailment occurred in 2023 at the same location, the issue is deemed to be unacceptable.
She wrote in an October 21st letter to CPKC’s head, President, and CEO Keith Creel, that she would like to know what steps were made since the two derailments occurred. The Federal Railroad Administration stated in 2023 that it occurred due to track alignment, which is a concern for the quality of CPKC’s tracks today, according to Baldwin.
CPKC Derailment Prompts Federal Oversight and Industry Debate
CPKC has stated that it is cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. The company emphasized that it has maintained the lowest train accident rate among Class I railroads for two consecutive years. But Baldwin countered that statistical success does not ease the concerns of Reeseville residents living near the affected corridor.
The derailment also brought back talk of the 2023 merger between Canada Pacific Railways and Kansas City Southern Railways. Experts say that with even more extensive tracks and more extensive trains, train speed could outrun the upgrading of the tracks in Canada. That’s where the call from Mr. Norman S. Baldwin for government regulation comes in.
Rail safety experts recommend regular track monitoring, modernized signaling, and greater transparency from rail operators. Because freight routes often pass through small towns, they argue that corporate responsibility must balance efficiency with public trust. Baldwin’s intervention highlights growing national concern over freight safety standards.
Source: www.progressiverailroading.com
News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:
What caused the CPKC derailment in Wisconsin?
Investigators suspect track alignment issues similar to those found after the 2023 incident, though the National Transportation Safety Board has not yet released its final report.
How is CPKC responding to the CPKC derailment?
CPKC says it is fully cooperating with investigators and continues to maintain the industry’s lowest accident rate among Class I railroads.
What actions has Senator Baldwin requested after the derailment?
She asked CPKC to provide detailed reports on corrective measures and infrastructure investments to prevent future derailments in Wisconsin.
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