Railroad workers — including engineers, conductors, brakemen, machinists, car repairers, and roundhouse workers — were exposed to asbestos throughout the 20th century. Steam and diesel locomotives used asbestos extensively in insulation, brakes, and engine components, while railroad repair shops were saturated with asbestos dust from decades of maintenance work. Railroad workers also have a unique legal advantage unavailable to most American workers: the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), which allows them to sue their railroad employer directly for negligence.
History of Asbestos Exposure for Railroad
American railroads were among the largest industrial consumers of asbestos in the United States. Steam locomotive boilers, fireboxes, and pipe systems required heavy asbestos insulation to operate safely at high temperatures. Even diesel locomotives used asbestos in gaskets, brake blocks, and cab insulation well into the 1980s. Railroad repair shops — and especially roundhouses where locomotives were serviced — accumulated decades of asbestos dust in their floors, walls, and air. Workers who disassembled brake assemblies, replaced insulation on boilers, or overhauled engine systems received the heaviest exposures. Major railroads including predecessors of BNSF, CSX, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern all used asbestos extensively.
Common Asbestos-Containing Products
The following products were commonly used in this occupation and are well-documented in asbestos litigation:
- Locomotive boiler and firebox insulation
- Steam pipe lagging throughout the locomotive
- Brake shoes and brake blocks
- Locomotive cab insulation panels
- Engine room gaskets and seals
- Asbestos packing for steam joints and valves
- Fire brick and furnace lining in steam locomotives
- Electrical cabinet insulation in diesel locomotives
Your Legal Rights
Unlike most American workers, railroad employees covered by FELA can sue their employer directly for negligence in state or federal court — not just product manufacturers. This is a significant advantage because railroads often had direct knowledge of asbestos hazards and continued exposing workers without protection. Under FELA, even partial employer negligence entitles the worker to compensation. Railroad workers can simultaneously pursue asbestos trust fund claims against product manufacturers, creating two separate compensation streams.
Key Facts for Railroad
- FELA allows direct lawsuits against railroad employers — unique among US industries
- Under FELA, partial negligence by the railroad is sufficient — comparative fault rules apply
- FELA claims have a 3-year statute of limitations from date of mesothelioma diagnosis
- Major railroads now consolidated into BNSF, CSX, Union Pacific, NS bear liability for predecessors
- Railroad Brotherhood unions maintain historical employment records that support claims
Frequently Asked Questions
FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) allows railroad workers to sue their employer in court for negligence. Unlike workers' compensation, FELA awards full damages including pain and suffering — not just medical bills and lost wages. There is no administrative cap on FELA awards, and jury verdicts can be substantial.
Current successor railroads inherit the legal obligations of companies they absorbed through merger. If you worked for a predecessor to BNSF, CSX, Union Pacific, or Norfolk Southern, the current company bears liability for those predecessor operations.