“Due to Texas’ strategic location, large size, and sources of traffic it, of course, did not take long for other railroads to begin tapping and building aggressively into the state. In the years following the arrival of the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado several other, and more celebrated, lines built into Texas.
“Of all of these railroads, the SP and MP controlled the majority of the route miles in Texas connecting to virtually every major city in the state with a significant presence in lucrative East Texas where the chemical industry sprang up,” according to amercian-rails.com.
According to HomeAdvisor, Texas has more railroad mileage than any other state, thereby serving all kinds of industries, including residential and plumbing. What’s more, we have more railroad employees than any other state in the country, which isn’t surprising given the size of Texas. Some of the products moved by rail in Texas include coal, chemicals, and agricultural products. Click here to see a map of Texas railroads.
Be Safe Around Railroad Crossings!
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) warns people that if they are in a collision with a train, they are 40 times more likely to be killed than if they were in a crash with another car. Because of this hazard, TxDOT urges Texans to remember the following tips whenever they drive near a railroad crossing:
- Reduce your speed when you approach a crossing and look both ways.
- If your stereo is on, turn it down so you can hear if a train approaches.
- If the crossing arms are lowered and the red lights are flashing, STOP.
- Never stop your vehicle on railroad tracks. If a train is going 50 mph, it needs a full mile and a half to come to a stop.
- Before you cross, make sure all trains have passed by – there could be more coming behind the first set.
Under Texas law, motorists are required to yield the right of way to trains. If you see a train in sight and you cross the tracks or if you drive around the gates that have been lowered at a railroad crossing, you are breaking the law. If you ever see the gates down but not train, it means the road is closed.
If you need to file a claim for a train accident or another type of injury crash, we urge you to contact The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC to get started.