Thanks for continuing to keep EP on the prayer list. I was just there over the weekend (for my grandma's 94th birthday!). The energy in town feels kind of weird, but it's hard for me to tell what is related to the derailment and what's related to all the other weirdness in the world - personal family issues, the pandemic, decline, etc.
It is clear that the train company is dumping tons of money into town. Lots of vacant storefronts are now train offices of one kind or another (or EPA offices, health clinics). There are also tons of big trucks and construction equipment; the city park is being refurbished among other things. My guess is that it's likely cheaper for the train company to keep doing business as usual and just pay off the town when there's a big disaster.
Update from EP
It is clear that the train company is dumping tons of money into town. Lots of vacant storefronts are now train offices of one kind or another (or EPA offices, health clinics). There are also tons of big trucks and construction equipment; the city park is being refurbished among other things. My guess is that it's likely cheaper for the train company to keep doing business as usual and just pay off the town when there's a big disaster.