No easy answers for rail safety

By Najmedin Meshkati

Updated 9:49 AM ET, Fri May 15, 2015

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Emergency personnel work at the scene of a deadly train derailment in Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 13. An Amtrak train headed from Washington to New York City crashed Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Eight people were killed and more than 200 were injured.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a deadly train derailment in Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 13. An Amtrak train headed from Washington to New York City crashed Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Eight people were killed and more than 200 were injured.
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Rescue crews and investigators inspect the crash site on May 13. The impact of the crash tore cars apart, sending seven of them flying from the tracks. It also left the engine a mangled mess.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Rescue crews and investigators inspect the crash site on May 13. The impact of the crash tore cars apart, sending seven of them flying from the tracks. It also left the engine a mangled mess.
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Crews work amid the wreckage on May 13.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Crews work amid the wreckage on May 13.
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The Amtrak information board in New York shows the derailed train as canceled on May 13.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
The Amtrak information board in New York shows the derailed train as canceled on May 13.
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Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, at center in the maroon hat, walks with other officials to a news conference near the crash site on May 13.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, at center in the maroon hat, walks with other officials to a news conference near the crash site on May 13.
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Investigators and first responders work at the scene on May 13.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Investigators and first responders work at the scene on May 13.
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Workers stand near the wreckage on May 13.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Workers stand near the wreckage on May 13.
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Police stand between two overturned train cars on Tuesday, May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Police stand between two overturned train cars on Tuesday, May 12.
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Rescue workers help tend to a passenger near the crash site on May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Rescue workers help tend to a passenger near the crash site on May 12.
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Emergency personnel work at the scene on May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Emergency personnel work at the scene on May 12.
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Emergency personnel work inside one of the train cars on May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Emergency personnel work inside one of the train cars on May 12.
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A passenger is helped away from the scene of the crash on May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
A passenger is helped away from the scene of the crash on May 12.
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Passengers are helped away from the scene of the crash on May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Passengers are helped away from the scene of the crash on May 12.
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Emergency personnel work the scene of the train wreck on May 12.
Photos: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
Emergency personnel work the scene of the train wreck on May 12.
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