"Trains carrying deadly chemicals rumble through our backyards every day, but railroad companies hauling them refuse to publicly disclose exactly what those substances are, or how often they travel through the area.

Only the railroads are required to know what's in the cars they're shipping, said Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Warren Flatau.

Local emergency workers, who would respond to a leak, spill or fire, have no knowledge of what's being transported on those cars until an accident happens."

Julia Hunter reports for Gannett August 14, 2010.
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