William J. Kemble in The Daily Freeman reports that Ulster County Executive Michael Hein spoke with CSX railroad officials last week about the need for better communication with local officials, after some recent Hudson Valley train troubles. A March 31 CSX breakdown blocked access to about 90 homes and businesses along Kings Highway in Saugerties. On February 25, another Ulster County accident involved empty rail cars that had recently off-loaded crude oil and occurred after the conductor missed a red signal and reversed the train through a switch. In Albany County Feb. 28, a derailment at the Selkirk Rail Yards involved thirteen train cars fully-loaded with crude oil. “Some of the concerns we had were the increased transport of materials,” Hein said about the meeting. “We want our emergency service personnel, our fire department and all of our EMTs to be very well aware of what’s being transported and when. So there has been an agreement that CSX will have that information readily available.” CSX officials said 30 to 35 trains go through local communities every day. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.