As a railroad center, Altoona has lived with the prospect of train derailments for much of its history.

Having lived with virtually all of the pluses and minuses of that industry for so long, including the knowledge of what their ancestors experienced during their lifetimes, people here go about their routines day in and day out without giving much thought to the dangers “built into” a rail operation in the community.

Expressed more simply, people here do not shudder when a “monster” train consisting perhaps of nearly a hundred units is bearing down on their town.

People will simply watch the train go by, perhaps remain interested in company names on some of the railcars and, beyond that, return to whatever it was that they were doing before the train’s arrival.

Then sometimes something happens to rustle the usual routine.

Three years ago that “rustling” was the derailment of 38 railcars at East Palestine, Ohio — a derailment that reportedly cost Norfolk Southern Railroad about $1.1 billion and raised questions about the rail company’s judgment in assessing and dealing with serious situations.

Many people who recall that derailment remember the criticism regarding Norfolk’s decision to conduct a vent-and-burn on five tank cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride. That decision resulted in a mushroom-like cloud that towered over the East Palestine area, which is a short distance west of Ohio’s border with Pennsylvania.

Back in 2014, 17 railcars derailed along 10th Avenue in Altoona — a derailment that caused some local residents to stop and ponder “What if.” But life went on virtually uninterrupted, although any derailment brings inconveniences along with the damage incurred.

Meanwhile, as area residents were digesting news about a freight train derailment Feb. 5 in Mansfield, Conn., that sent railcars carrying flammable liquid propane into a body of water, news emerged from the Horseshoe Curve area here the following day that 65 Norfolk Southern railcars had derailed on the mainline next to Lake Altoona.

There were no injuries, no release of hazardous materials and no apparent danger to the public.

But some local people, no doubt, were feeling concern — like many felt in 2014.

Still, Mayor Matt Pacifico, who has criticized Norfolk for being slow to share information with local officials about derailments, including the one in 2014, which he learned about from a reporter, was pleased this time with the railroad’s response.

He got a call the morning of the accident from a railroad official, he said.

“It’s about railroads being good neighbors in communities across the country by keeping us informed and involved,” he said.

It ought to be a partnership, he said.

At a news conference three days before the recent derailment, the mayor called for creation of a liaison post within the Federal Railroad Administration to help promote such partnerships nationwide — ensuring that all railroads would provide quick alerts to local public safety officials and community leaders when accidents occur.

It’s a proposal worthy of support.

People here prefer not having to criticize a company like Norfolk Southern, which is so important to the area.

Keeping lines of communication open and respectful is one way to ensure such criticism isn’t necessary.

Poor communication breeds distrust, and distrust should have no place here.