HARRISBURG, Pa. � Spurred on by train derailments, some states with busy criss-crossing freight railroads are pursuing their own safety remedies rather than wait for federal action amid industry opposition and questions about whether they even have authority to make the changes.

Cars wait at a railroad crossing for a CSX freight train June 18 in Homestead, Pa.
The activity comes after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed on Feb. 3 along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, prompting new legislation and reviving long-stalled efforts as backers voice skepticism that the federal government is capable of helping.

Freight cars sit in Norfolk Southern's Conway Terminal on June 17 in Conway Pa.

Portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, still on fire a day later.
Photos: A look at the aftermath of the Ohio train derailment

This photo taken with a drone shows the continuing cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This photo taken with a drone shows the continuing cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A Norfolk Southern freight train waits to pass through East Palenstine, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, where cleanup continues after a derailment Friday night. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A Norfolk Southern freight train passes through East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, as clean up continues following a derailment Friday night. Residents were allowed back into their homes after being forced to evacuate following the derailment. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Neighbors gather outside a home in East Palestine, Pa, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 as residents were allowed back in their homes after a derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train Friday night forced their evacuation. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

FILE - A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. West Virginia's water utility says it's taking precautionary steps following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio. The utility said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2023 that it has enhanced its treatment processes even though there hasn’t been a change in raw water at its Ohio River intake. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A sign sits outside of the Abundant Life Fellowship church for the Norfolk Southern Assistance Center located inside the church on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Residents in East Palestine who were forced to evacuate after about 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash Friday night, can be reimbursed for the funds they accrued during the evacuation. (AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos)

An American Red Cross sign stands outside of a shelter in East Palestine, Ohio, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. About 50 cars, including 10 carry hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash Friday night. Ohio and Pennsylvania residents living close to the wreckage were forced to evacuate the area and aren't being allowed into their homes, authorities said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos)

An Ohio State Trooper car sits parked next to a blockade in East Palestine, Ohio, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. About 50 cars, including 10 carry hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash Friday night. Ohio and Pennsylvania residents living close to the wreckage were forced to evacuate the area and aren't being allowed into their homes, authorities said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos)

A road blockade blocks a street in a neighborhood in East Palestine, Ohio, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. About 50 cars, including 10 carry hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash Friday night. Ohio and Pennsylvania residents living close to the wreckage were forced to evacuate the area and aren't being allowed into their homes, authorities said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Orsagos)

This photo taken with a drone shows the continuing cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A HEPACO worker places booms in a stream in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 as the cleanup continues after the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train Friday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Some of the railcars that derailed Friday night when a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed are in the process of being cleaned up on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, continues on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

People gather at the Norfolk Southern Railways Assistance Center Thursday, Feb. 9, 2013, at the Abundant Life Fellowship in East Palestine, Ohio. Cleanup continues of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

People gather at the Norfolk Southern Railways Assistance Center Thursday, Feb. 9, 2013, at the Abundant Life Fellowship in East Palestine, Ohio. Cleanup continues of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

HEPACO workers, an environmental and emergency services company, observe a stream in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 as the cleanup continues after the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train Friday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)