Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia railroad workers were routinely exposed to asbestos through their daily work. Asbestos was used in boilers, clutches, gaskets, steam engines, boiler rooms, engine rooms, boxcars, and even passenger car ceilings, walls, floors, wallboards, and floor tiles.
- The Pennsylvania Railroad Company — headquartered in Philadelphia and once the largest railroad in the world — used asbestos on its locomotives, exposing workers across its operations.
- Amtrak was cited for asbestos violations at its Philadelphia-area facilities. A 1984 complaint filed with OSHA alleged that Amtrak “consistently violates Federal safety standards for worker exposure to harmful asbestos fibers” — involving at least 40 electrical workers at 12 substations between New York and Philadelphia.
- Amtrak workers reportedly crawled inside equipment with no protection, and the company claimed it did not know asbestos was present in its substations.
- Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50+ years — meaning railroad workers exposed decades ago may only now be developing symptoms and receiving diagnoses.
There are many railroads throughout Pennsylvania. In the past, Philadelphia railroad workers were exposed to asbestos during their jobs as asbestos was used in many railroad products until the 1980s. Since asbestos is extremely resistant to heat, it was used in many processes that involved a lot of high heat. Since railroads involve a lot of friction, this causes high heat.
Asbestos was used as an insulation material in boilers, clutches, gaskets, steam engines, and more. Places that exposed workers to asbestos the most included boiler rooms, engine rooms, boxcars, and more. Even passenger cars contained asbestos materials. In the past, asbestos was used to line the ceilings, walls, and floors of passenger cars. Asbestos was also used in the wallboards and floor tiles of cabins.
When products that contained asbestos were repaired or changed, the asbestos dust would be released into the air. This would cause those in the surrounding environment to be exposed to the asbestos fibers and in turn put them at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease later in life. Philadelphia railroad workers were at risk working on trains and repairing train parts. Philadelphia railroad workers of the past may not see the symptoms of asbestos until decades later. Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, has a long latency period. If you were a railroad worker and have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestos, or another asbestos-related disease, it can probably be traced back at least partly to your time as a railroad worker.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company was one of the railroads companies that used asbestos on its locomotives. This railroad was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and at one point was the largest railroad in the world.
Philadelphia Railroad Workers at Amtrak
Amtrak is a railroad company known to have exposed workers to asbestos. The Philadelphia Amtrak station is located inside 30th Street Station in Center City Philadelphia. Philadelphia Railroad workers who worked on Amtrak trains were more than likely exposed to asbestos.
In a 1984 article in the National Edition of the New York Times, a headline reads “THE REGION: Amtrak Facing Asbestos Charges.” Within the article it states, “… Amtrak consistently violates Federal safety standards for worker exposure to harmful asbestos fibers.” It goes on to say, “The complaint, filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, involves at least 40 electrical workers at 12 substations between New York and Philadelphia.” Within the article it states that a spokesman for Amtrak said that they did not know that asbestos was in the substations, however the employees would crawl inside the equipment with no protection.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. Philadelphia railroad workers were exposed to asbestos during their daily work and the companies that exposed them to the carcinogen should be held accountable. We have represented many railroad workers in the past and we will continue to do so. We help victims of asbestos-related diseases in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was asbestos used in railroads?
Asbestos was used extensively throughout railroad infrastructure because of the extreme friction and heat involved in railroad operations. Common locations included:
- Locomotive components — boilers, clutches, gaskets, steam engines
- Work areas — boiler rooms, engine rooms, boxcars
- Passenger cars — ceiling linings, wall linings, floor coverings, wallboards, floor tiles, and cabin insulation
Any time these components were repaired, replaced, or disturbed, asbestos dust was released into the air — exposing everyone in the surrounding area.
What was the Pennsylvania Railroad Company?
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company was headquartered in Philadelphia and at its peak was the largest railroad in the world. It used asbestos-containing materials on its locomotives and throughout its infrastructure. Workers who built, maintained, and operated Pennsylvania Railroad trains and facilities were exposed to asbestos as part of their daily work — often without any warning about the health risks or any protective equipment.
Did Amtrak expose workers to asbestos in Philadelphia?
Yes. In 1984, a complaint was filed with OSHA alleging that Amtrak consistently violated federal safety standards for worker exposure to asbestos fibers. The complaint involved at least 40 electrical workers at 12 substations between New York and Philadelphia. Employees reportedly crawled inside equipment containing asbestos with no protective equipment. Amtrak’s spokesperson said the company did not know asbestos was present in its substations — but the workers were exposed regardless. The Philadelphia Amtrak station at 30th Street Station in Center City was part of this infrastructure.
Which railroad workers were most at risk?
Railroad workers most at risk included those who worked in or around boiler rooms, engine rooms, and maintenance facilities — where asbestos-containing components were regularly serviced and repaired. Specific roles at elevated risk included:
- Boiler mechanics — servicing asbestos-insulated boilers
- Engine mechanics — repairing steam engines with asbestos gaskets and components
- Electrical workers — working in substations with asbestos-containing equipment
- Maintenance crews — performing repairs on locomotives, boxcars, and passenger cars
Even workers who didn’t directly handle asbestos could be exposed when nearby repair work released fibers into shared air spaces.
Were passengers on Philadelphia trains exposed to asbestos?
Passenger exposure was possible but typically at much lower levels than worker exposure. Asbestos was used in the ceilings, walls, floors, wallboards, and floor tiles of passenger cars. When these materials were intact, they generally did not release fibers. However, as cars aged and materials deteriorated — or when maintenance work disturbed them — fibers could become airborne within the passenger compartment. Workers who spent their careers inside these cars were at far greater risk than occasional passengers.
What should I do if I worked for a Philadelphia railroad and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Amtrak, or any other railroad operating in or around Philadelphia and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, your work history is a critical piece of your case. The companies that exposed you to asbestos may be held accountable. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. We have represented many railroad workers and are familiar with these cases.
