A couple (click here) had their cellphone camera rolling when they drove up to a train crossing in Louisiana and noticed there was a big rig stalled on the tracks. What followed was the impact as the train smashed into the 18-wheeler.
Two of the train's engines and 17 train cars derailed in the crash. The driver of the stalled semi abandoned his rig and was not injured.
Union Pacific Railroad Co. officials said the conductor's injuries weren't considered life-threatening. They say the engineer suffered minor injuries.
The family filming the accident had to make a quick getaway after they were told one of the train cars was leaking a dangerous chemical gas.
I am actually more concerned about the rails going through Mer Rouge, Louisiana. If there are many derailments the entire stretch of track needs to be looked at. People were lucky. The first engine that impacted the truck came up off the track a little bit. But, as soon as the barrier was pushed aside it stayed on the track. It could have been a lot worse.
The Canada explosion just seems to me to be the same phenomena witnessed since North Dakota decided it was okay to douse the entire nation in oil. The cars are full of explosives, they may or may not be properly vented. They are flammable contents and the question arises, what exploded first the inside of the rail car causing the derailment or did the derailment happen first exploding the rail car.
It has always been my contention that rail cars carrying explosive material are derailed after the explosion. Even derailed a rail car may not explode unless the integrity of the tank is breached. In other words, if another rail car or piece of track pierced the outside wall of the tanker then the spark would ignite the chemical inside. I also believe some if not most can be avoided. Not enough personnel, not enough rail inspections and not tight enough regulations.
October 1, 2014
By James Walsh
New York has this right. Finally a state that recognizes Bakken crude as highly flammable. It was crazy to see the MDSD list this liquid as crude oil. Not even close. 50 - 50 mixture with naptha if it is tar sands.
I am glad it is New York seeking regulation and enforcement. Safety will have it's best outcome in New York.
Two of the train's engines and 17 train cars derailed in the crash. The driver of the stalled semi abandoned his rig and was not injured.
Union Pacific Railroad Co. officials said the conductor's injuries weren't considered life-threatening. They say the engineer suffered minor injuries.
The family filming the accident had to make a quick getaway after they were told one of the train cars was leaking a dangerous chemical gas.
I am actually more concerned about the rails going through Mer Rouge, Louisiana. If there are many derailments the entire stretch of track needs to be looked at. People were lucky. The first engine that impacted the truck came up off the track a little bit. But, as soon as the barrier was pushed aside it stayed on the track. It could have been a lot worse.
The Canada explosion just seems to me to be the same phenomena witnessed since North Dakota decided it was okay to douse the entire nation in oil. The cars are full of explosives, they may or may not be properly vented. They are flammable contents and the question arises, what exploded first the inside of the rail car causing the derailment or did the derailment happen first exploding the rail car.
It has always been my contention that rail cars carrying explosive material are derailed after the explosion. Even derailed a rail car may not explode unless the integrity of the tank is breached. In other words, if another rail car or piece of track pierced the outside wall of the tanker then the spark would ignite the chemical inside. I also believe some if not most can be avoided. Not enough personnel, not enough rail inspections and not tight enough regulations.
October 1, 2014
By James Walsh
...New York state (click here) on Tuesday submitted its concerns about oil trains that traverse the Hudson Valley to a federal agency developing rules for the transport of hazardous materials including volatile Bakken crude oil.
Emergency orders were issued in May by the U.S. Department of Transportation to railroads hauling the Bakken crude to immediately notify state emergency officials of the shipments. Shippers were also asked to stop using old DOT-111 tank cars, which have a history of rupturing and exploding in derailments. The cars were originally designed to carry nonhazardous materials such as corn syrup and fruit juice.
New York's suggestions include enhanced braking systems for oil trains, speed controls for trains hauling hazardous cargo and degasifying crude oil before shipment to reduce its volatility,
"Only with such a comprehensive approach will we reduce the risk involved with shipping high-hazard contents," said the correspondence signed by the state's commissioners of transportation, environmental conservation and homeland security....
New York has this right. Finally a state that recognizes Bakken crude as highly flammable. It was crazy to see the MDSD list this liquid as crude oil. Not even close. 50 - 50 mixture with naptha if it is tar sands.
I am glad it is New York seeking regulation and enforcement. Safety will have it's best outcome in New York.
