10 Crazy Train Facts!

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I loved Thomas the Tank Engine as a child. My grandpa was a huge train guy. I had the wooden whistles and everything. Before I knew about football, I knew about trains and they were my fucking swag. I spent about 15 minutes looking through my camera roll for a picture of a young Doz in a conductor hat for this blog and came up empty. To make up for that I figured I'd share some crazy train facts since trains are hot in the news forsome reason.

#1. American trains carry well over 1 billion TONS of cargo a year!

#2. The first steam locomotive was invented in 1804 by British inventor Richard Trevithick. 

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#3. In 2017 the United States Department of Transportation repealed (got rid of) legislation designed to increase railway safety. What a strange thing to do! 

When you think about the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the GOP's tepid response, keep in mind that the Trump Administration did what railroad lobbyists wanted the most.

They repealed an Obama Administration safety rule for trains with hazardous chemicals. pic.twitter.com/HZNwm9SDw6

— Grant Stern (@grantstern) February 13, 2023

#4. 2022 Action-Comedy film Bullet Train made 239.3 million dollars at the box office. 

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#5. In September of 2018 former President and current fascist Donald Trump chose profits for special interest groups over protecting the American people from the dangers of train derailments.

#6. San Francisco rock band Train's 2001 hit "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 (this part isn't technically a fact, but that's semi-crazy considering how big that song was, def would've assumed it hit #1, but 2001 was a loaded year) and was nominated for five Grammys (winning two) at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards

□ “now she’s back in the atmosphere, drops of vinyl chloride in the air, aiiiir, aiiir, airr” pic.twitter.com/4pYEJStzMx

— Doz #HireDozo (@DozonLife) February 15, 2023

#7. Norfolk Southern (the rail company who's train crashed, causing this disaster) offered  $25,000 (less than Cam Thomas was fined by the NBA for saying "No Homo") to help the nearly 5,000 people forced to evacuate due to the derailment.

Norfolk Southern Corp offered a $25,000 donation to assist the area’s nearly 5,000 residents who were ordered to evacuate their homes...that's a whopping FIVE BUCKS per person

the rail company's owners include The Vanguard Group, JPMorgan, and BlackRock pic.twitter.com/UL9qW1EsCd

— Gritty is the Way (@Gritty20202) February 14, 2023

Rather than spending money to upgrade safety & staffing, Norfolk Southern engaged in stock buybacks & laid off employees. Union workers were ignored.

The train went up in flames & toxic chemicals are causing a colossal environmental catastrophe.

There must be accountability. https://t.co/gsEv3tIDuA

— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) February 14, 2023

#7.5. Norfolk Southern since increased their donation, but it still isn't good enough.

Norfolk Southern is now reimbursing 700 families in East Palestine $1 million for their basic needs in the wake of the disaster.

But that's just a start. The pressure is working.

The company is worth $55 billion, so don't stop pushing until they've actually made things right.

— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) February 14, 2023

Norfolk Southern spent more money lobbying against train safety regulations than it offered the town its derailment decimated.

In 2021 alone they spent $4.3 million on politicians and lobbying.

But they've proposed just $1 million for East Palestine's 5,000 residents.

— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) February 14, 2023

#8. The CEO of Norfolk Southern's name is Alan Shaw.

#9. Despite loving Steve Martin and John Candy's work, I've never seen Planes, Trains and Automobiles in its entirety in a single sitting.

#10. These are Norfolk Southern's top 10 investors. Corporate greed is responsible for this disaster and a lack of regulation (among other inhumane policies) will lead to the end of humanity as we know it. In case you forgot, it's actually the government's job to protect its citizens!

Officials say it is safe for East Palestine, Ohio residents to return home — but more than a week after toxic chemicals were released into the air following a train derailment, there have been numerous reports of respiratory issues, burning eyes and thousands of dead fish. pic.twitter.com/n1Q7kNWPH3

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) February 15, 2023

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