Winter Proves A Boon For Rail De-Icing Firm

STOCKBRIDGE, MA (WAMC) - The American rail system saw numerous snow-related delays as this past winter pounded the nation with storm after storm. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz has a feature on a Berkshire based company whose technology is aimed at keeping rail lines moving

From late December through early February, storms dumping inches upon inches of snow across the northern half of the United States became commonplace, snow that tied up travel in all its forms. Rail lines didn't escape the troubles either, with delays and stoppages being reported regularly. Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad's General Manager Hugh Kiley held a forum in Boston late last month where riders could air out their complaints, although he heard an earful, he wanted to make sure that the riders felt they were being taken seriously.

In Berkshire County, the main rail service is a freight operation run by the Housatonic Railroad Company. Their spokesperson, Colin Pease, says while they had several delays they were lucky to not have to cancel any runs, he notes that an effective rail de-icing technology could help transit all over the country.