Environment & Energy

Eugene

(61,899 posts) Mon Dec 30, 2013, 09:00 PM Dec 2013

Train collision in North Dakota sets oil rail cars ablaze

Source: Reuters

Train collision in North Dakota sets oil rail cars ablaze

BY ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON
FARGO, North Dakota Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:44pm EST

(Reuters) - A BNSF train carrying crude oil in North Dakota collided with another train on Monday, setting off a series of explosions that left at least 10 cars ablaze, the latest in a string of incidents that have raised alarms over growing oil-by-rail traffic.

Local residents heard five powerful explosions just a mile outside of the small town of Casselton after a westbound train carrying soybeans derailed, and an eastbound 104-car train hauling crude oil ran into it just after 2 p.m. CST (2000 GMT), local officials said. There were no reports of any injuries.

City officials said they heard a series of blasts following the collision, including one at 3:40 p.m. Windows shook at the city auditor's office.

"Approximately 10 cars are fully engulfed resulting in heavy smoke in the area," the Cass County sheriff said in a statement at 4:36 p.m., adding that local fire and hazardous material teams were battling the blaze. The sheriff said it was not yet clear how the collision had occurred.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/31/us-northdakota-collision-idUSBRE9BT0OV20131231

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Train collision in North Dakota sets oil rail cars ablaze (Original Post) Eugene Dec 2013 OP

For so many reasons, this worries me Lifelong Protester Dec 2013 #1

Koch oil, Koch trains, Koch governor pscot Dec 2013 #2

Pretty much sums it up Lifelong Protester Dec 2013 #3

What chance is there of getting rid of Walker? pscot Dec 2013 #4

I think if we get to work, and get a good candidate Lifelong Protester Dec 2013 #5

Lifelong Protester

(8,421 posts)

1. For so many reasons, this worries me

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Dec 30, 2013, 09:11 PM

Dec 2013

We live along the BNSF line here (along the Mississippi River, in Wisconsin) and the rail traffic, especially oil tankers, certainly seems to have increased (I do not think it is my imagination-if I take a walk by the river I have to cross the tracks twice, and ususally have to wait for a train once, if not both times).

I see the river, and beautiful Lake Pepin as possible 'victims', as well as the elderly and children in our town.

I am worried.