Norfolk Southern may file legal challenge against new federal oil-train safety rules

Norfolk Southern Corp. touted its safety efforts in transporting crude oil in a letter to Gov. Wolf, but the railroad suggested it may file a legal challenge over some recent federal safety rules.

Following the issuance of new rules by the U.S. Department of Transportation on May 8, "Norfolk Southern is still considering its legal options," the company's Chairman and CEO C.W. Moorman said in a letter delivered to Wolf on Monday.

Like other railroads, Norfolk Southern was particularly "disappointed" with new rules on brakes that the railroad said would produce "little safety benefit," Moorman said.

Moorman was responding to a May 19 letter from Wolf urging oil-train operators to "fully and expeditiously comply" with the new federal rules.