Locomotives and boxcars in January at the Pan Am Railways yard at 55 College Ave. in Waterville. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel file

Freight trains will soon be traveling up to four times faster through parts of Maine.

CSX Transportation, which operates on 481 miles of track and maintains 269 public grade crossings in Maine, will increase some train speeds to 40 mph. That’s up from 10 to 25 mph, depending on track locations.

The speed increase follows a 2023 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram investigation into recent derailments that found the eight companies running freight through Maine are responsible for maintaining their own tracks, mostly police themselves, and too often fail to report accidents and injuries.

Officials in Auburn, Lewiston, Monmouth, Winthrop and Waterville are urging drivers and others to pay attention to signs and signals at railroad crossings, according to announcements posted on municipal websites or social media.

Winthrop officials said the increase to 40 mph will occur in the next 30 to 90 days.

In its Jan. 14 notice to Monmouth officials, CSX said trains will operate through the rural community according to federal regulations.

“Please be assured that this change in speed should not have any impact on grade crossing safety in your community,” the notice says.

Lewiston officials attributed the increase to recent track improvements.

A member of a work crew walks along the CSX rail line along Front Street in Waterville last year. The Maine House of Representatives on Wednesday voted down a bill that would have studied the feasibility of a passenger rail between Portland and Bangor using the CSX line. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

“CSX’s major upgrades to tracks now allow them to safely operate at higher speeds,” Lewiston’s announcement says.

CSX representatives did not respond immediately to calls and emails Wednesday requesting additional information.

The majority of nearly 4 million tons of freight traveling through Maine annually consists of pulp, paper, lumber and other wood products, as well as refined petroleum, minerals, chemicals and food, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Recent reported freight train incidents in Maine include a derailment that spilled diesel fuel in Penobscot County, near the Mattawamkeag-Winn town line; a collision with a truck in the Waldo County town of Prospect; and a death on the tracks in Old Orchard Beach.

Auburn officials offered the following safety tips in light of the speed increase:

• Always assume a train is coming as you approach railroad tracks.
• Leave at least 15 feet between your vehicle and train tracks when stopping.
• Make sure you can clear the crossing without stopping before you start.
• Remember that trains cannot stop quickly — a freight train traveling 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop.

This story will be updated.