Train - hazardous cargo "accident"

[bcp]

Bakken crude seems to be more explosive the normal crude oil.

From:
Bakken crude may be more flammable than previously thought: U.S. regulator | Reuters

In that case, as with several other accidents in recent months, tank cars exploded with a force that surprised investigators.

The incidents "indicate that the type of crude being transported from the Bakken region may be more flammable than traditional heavy crude oil," the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) said on Thursday.

Bruce

 

[Leejohn]

Rail beds and rails should be 1st class and make sure they stay that way. Next not haul a fuse and the powder on the same train. Liquefied petroleum and crude ????? If it was only crude more then likely there wouldn't been a fire. Sounds like to me it's pipe line brain washing.

 

[3930dave]

I was looking for a CBC article I read a while ago, and couldn't find it. Separate from any of these oil derailments, it detailed noticeable track problems near small towns in Nova Scotia. The problem is pretty widespread.

With the patchwork of rail operators in place today, all it takes is one short piece of neglected track bed to cause the problems we've seen in the last 2 years.

The railways, and the governments, are balancing Cost vs. Safety vs. Lawsuits&Fines. When they get this equation wrong, people die. Either a lot more money needs to be put into Rail, or proper best-in-class Pipelines need to be built. Either way, the capital needs to be invested - what are we waiting for.... a major oil fire in a highly populated area ?

As much as I understand the "Create a Crisis, to drive an Agenda" game, I really hope that is not behind what is going on with rail vs. pipelines.

Rgds, D.

 

[crazyal]

Most of the rails in small towns like Lac Megantic are low speed rails. A normal derailment wouldn't of caused much of a problem. The problem is that there are just too many ways to have an accident. I'm sure nobody thought that someone would leave a train at the top of a hill while the engineer took his mandatory break. Or that an axle would snap causing a derailment just as it passed another freight train hauling crude.

 

[3930dave]

Even in an industry where a lot of sustained effort (read money) goes into establishing and maintaining a safe work environment, one-in-a-million events happen. Agreed.

Start cutting corners........

In addition, at times Rail gets away with things no other transport sector can.

A guy I know is a locomotive mechanic. In a recent conversation, he commented that while transport trucks are mandated to have automatic braking applied if the system air pressure drops too low, there is no similar requirement for the air brake systems on trains - at least in Canada.

I'd like to think he's wrong, but I suspect not.

Rgds, D.

 

[Cub 7274]

If the system air pressure drops to low on trains a full set brake would be applied
In the West right now trains are stalling everywhere because they cannot keep the air brake system charged on excessive length trains and have had to reduce their lengths to 6000 or so feet to keep them moving

 

[bcp]

A guy I know is a locomotive mechanic. In a recent conversation, he commented that while transport trucks are mandated to have automatic braking applied if the system air pressure drops too low, there is no similar requirement for the air brake systems on trains - at least in Canada.

Not too sure I would take my locomotive to him. Railroad air brakes have done that since they were adopted.

From:
Railway air brake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Westinghouse system uses air pressure to charge air reservoirs (tanks) on each car. Full air pressure signals each car to release the brakes. A reduction or loss of air pressure signals each car to apply its brakes, using the compressed air in its reservoirs.

 

[Scooby074]

I think the issue is with train brakes themselves. They dont apply and behave 100% like truck air brakes. Their was a very good explanation as to why the train brake system is as it is written by someone in the industry (Engineer?). Ill see if I can find it. Will post if I do.

North American Freight Train Brakes

 

[3930dave]

I'm interested in learning more about this.

I want to believe train brakes are designed Fail Safe. But, if that is correct, how did we end up discussing Lac Megantic ?

That comment is not intended to be sarcastic..... long day, and I'm thinking/typing out loud, trying to see what dots I'm not connecting....

Rgds, D.

 

[Cub 7274]

If the air "bleeds" from a rail car the brakes will release unless a hand brake is applied which is the mechanical brake
I think a truck applies its mechanical brake when the air is released automatically