Impending tragedy Carol Dillon, Fresno The two Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains that recently derailed in Laton and Corcoran had just passed through Fresno. Every time I hear or watch the news about train derailments I shudder. I'm reminded of the Sept. 11, 1999, BNSF derailment that nearly landed in my home. Now is the time to support rail consolidation. This BNSF rail corridor is 105 years old and not made for today's rail traffic. It's reported that the number of railroad industry inspectors has been reduced and there are only 550 state and federal government people checking 230,000 miles of track. Rail consolidation is the only solution to an ever-present problem. Something has to be done before we have a major derailment in the middle of our town causing a catastrophic disaster. The Shaw/Marks underpasses are not the answers, they are only a short term solution. The 1993 rail consolidation study, now being updated, said Fresno Rail Consolidation was doable and needed to be done. The time is now. For some very informative information of this ever-increasing problem, check out the web site of Fresno Area Residents for Rail Consolidation: www.movethetracks.org. Fresno Bee, The (CA) Published May 6, 2001 Section: VISION Page G2 All content © The Fresno Bee and may not be republished without permission. Send comments or questions to newslib@infi.net All archives are stored on a SAVE (tm) newspaper library system from MediaStream Inc., a Knight-Ridder Inc. company.