'We all knew it was going to happen': Railroad workers and unions say years of cost-cutting and safety pushback created the Ohio train disaster.

The article discusses a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that released toxic gas and raised concerns about rail industry safety standards. The incident involved a freight train carrying hazardous materials, resulting in a 38-car pileup and a controlled burn that prompted evacuation orders for local residents. Criticism has been directed at Norfolk Southern Railways, the train's operator, for inadequate safety measures, and calls for reform in the rail industry have intensified, particularly regarding the implementation of stricter safety protocols like electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the derailment, focusing on an overheated wheel bearing as a potential cause, while industry practices emphasizing cost-cutting and consolidation are cited as contributing factors to ongoing safety risks. [Extracted from the article]