Why "We've Alway Done It This Way" Is Getting People Hurt

In rail-served facilities across the country, there’s a common phrase that shows up just before someone gets injured — or cited by the FRA: “We’ve always done it this way.”

It sounds harmless or even comforting. But in the world of safety and compliance, outdated tradition is often standing in the way of progress and putting teams at serious risk.

Outdated Practices is Modern Liability

Most rail-related accidents don’t happen out of nowhere.

They usually stem from small issues: informal training that doesn’t meet the standard, old procedures that are no longer compliant, or unqualified railcar movements.

What makes it worse? Many companies don’t even realize they’re out of compliance until an incident happens. If your site is moving railcars, switching them, or operating rail-bound equipment (like track mobiles, rail kings, or locomotives), the FRA considers you a railroad. That means you're legally responsible for following current federal safety standards, whether you're on the mainline or a private lot.

FRA Safety Standards Are Not Suggestions

Modern safety regulations, such as those in 49 CFR, are mandatory — and enforceable.

Even if your operation is small or only moves a few cars per week, these rules still apply. The logic of “it’s just a small move” doesn’t hold up in an FRA audit — or worse, in court.

Honor the Tradition, Modernize the Standards

Outdated traditions in rail safety can do more harm than good — especially when they’re no longer aligned with federal requirements. What used to be “good enough” can now lead to injuries, fines, or worse.

At Axiom Rail Services, we believe you don’t have to abandon the traditional railroad mindset — you just need to match it with modern compliance.

Our programs are built with the hands-on, real-world training that railroaders respect — but every piece is tied directly to the latest FRA standards.

It’s the same railroader approach — just safer, smarter, and federally compliant.