Association of American Railroads lobbying for one-person crews on trains

A recent train derailment in West Virginia is leading to new questions about how many crew members are needed on trains to ensure public safety, with railroad unions pushing for at least two, and the industry saying one would suffice.

At the center of the fight is the Association of American Railroads, which is lobbying against a proposed Federal Railroad Administration rule to require two-person crews on trains. The industry contends there is no evidence two-person crews improve safety, according to NBC News. Railroad executives also note that Congress has mandated railroads install GPS-based braking systems on their trains, which they believe will improve safety.

"It is the AAR's position there is no data that justifies a regulatory requirement regarding crew size," AAR spokesman Ed Greenberg told NBC News.

Supporters of larger crews point to a fiery oil train crash Monday in West Virginia as the type of incident that could happen more frequently if the industry gets its way. They also note that the 2013 oil train crash that killed 47 people in Quebec, Canada, occurred not long after the company in question had downsized to a one-man crew. The crash was blamed on the engineer not setting brakes properly.

"It's a recipe for disaster," said Mark Voelker, an organizer for the SMART union, which represents conductors nationwide.http://nbcnews.to/1Gc2izL