More than three years after the train derailment in East Palestine, supporters of additional rail safety measures continue to push for changes at both the state and federal levels.

The February 3, 2023 derailment released hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate, and forced evacuations in the East Palestine area. The disaster also renewed concerns about railroad safety and the regulations surrounding trains carrying hazardous materials.

Jess Conard, an East Palestine resident, later founded Rail Watch, a grassroots organization that helps communities understand risks associated with railways and advocate for safety improvements.

“Community voices lead to change, not only in the community, but it’s grassroots to global,” Conard said. “What happened in my community in East Palestine, you know, we’re changing the game with rail safety.”

Following the derailment, former Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and JD Vance introduced the Railway Safety Act. The legislation advanced through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor.

Ohio has since enacted several rail safety measures, including crew size requirements and mandates involving wayside defect detectors.

John Esterly, Ohio State Legislative Board chairman for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, said getting additional federal legislation through Congress could remain difficult because of the closely divided political environment.

“I think the reality that we’re going to live in is no matter who’s in power, it’s going to be very, very close and it’s going to be very, very difficult for anything to move forward,” Esterly said.

Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, including Ohio Senator Jon Husted, have reintroduced the Railway Safety Act of 2026.

Rail safety provisions are also being included in other transportation proposals. Esterly said that could provide another path for some of the measures supporters have sought since the East Palestine derailment.

Rail Watch continues working with communities on railway safety concerns and efforts to prevent future derailments.