U.S. beefs up security on railway systems.

• Position: Security beat: homeland defense briefs

In the aftermath of the March terrorist attacks on Spanish rail and mass transit lines, the Department of Homeland Security is stepping up safeguards on U.S. rail systems. Many of these efforts began after 9/11, but they are getting more emphasis following the bombings in Madrid, officials said.

"On the railways, DHS now requires advance electronic information of commercial cargo, as we do for all modes of transport, and we screen high-risk rail containers through our National Targeting Center," Secretary Tom Ridge told the American Association of Port Authorities.

The department also is preparing to use existing teams of explosive-sniffing dogs to develop a rapid-deployment, mass transit K-9 program. Under this program, DHS quick-response K-9 teams would move across the country, when required, to assist local law-enforcement agencies.

In addition, DHS plans to offer training and assistance for local K-9 teams, and units from the Federal Protective Service--a part of DHS that provides security for government property--will be cross-trained for use in rail and transit systems.

In another program, the department is working with Amtrak and the Federal railroad Administration to test the...