derailment

NTSB chair scolds Norfolk Southern’s response to derailment probe

This story originally appeared on Trains.com by Bill Stephens.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy sharply criticized Norfolk Southern today for the way it responded to the board’s investigation of the Feb. 3, 2023, hazardous materials derailment in East Palestine.

NS stonewalled board requests for information, ran its own probe on the side in violation of NTSB rules, and sought to influence the board’s independent investigation, Homendy said at the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-chair-scolds-norfolk-southerns-response-to-derailment-probe

NTSB makes 20 recommendations stemming from East Palestine derailment

This story originally appeared on Trains.com by correspondent Bill Stephens.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio – Norfolk Southern and its contractors should not have decided to vent and burn derailed tank cars carrying vinyl chloride three days after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.  

The five tank cars were among 38 cars that derailed near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border after the catastrophic failure of a wheel bearing on a covered...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-makes-20-recommendations-stemming-from-east-palestine-derailment

Burning of chemicals after Ohio derailment was unnecessary, NTSB head says

There was no need to burn dangerous chemicals in rail cars in order to prevent an explosion after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board told a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday.

Under questioning by Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Jennifer Homendy testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that temperatures in the cars had stabilized well before the burn was conducted and were too...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/burning-of-chemicals-after-ohio-derailment-was-unnecessary

Daily Infographic: The vast majority of Class I train derailments happen in rail yards

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https://www.freightwaves.com/news/daily-infographic-the-vast-majority-of-class-i-train-derailments-happen-in-rail-yards

The worst rail disasters in freight history

The ongoing crisis in Ohio from the Norfolk Southern train derailment reminds the industry of the critical importance of safety. However, as devastating as this accident is to the area, its environment and its wildlife, damage from some earlier derailments has been immeasurably worse. While technology and regulations have dramatically improved safety and saved lives, there is still a long way to go.

Here are some of the most impactful freight train derailments in world history.

Lac-Mégantic,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/auto-draft

Norfolk Southern eliminated key maintenance role in derailment region, union says

One union of rail workers has questioned declining maintenance standards following the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which forced the evacuation of the 5,000-person town earlier this month. 

A device that can play a role in preventing derailments is the wayside hot-box detector. It uses infrared sensors to detect bearings, axles or other components of a rail car that are overheating, then uses radio signals to flag rail crews of any overheated components. 

The rail...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/norfolk-southern-eliminated-key-maintenance-role-in-derailment-region-union-says

Wall Street says Norfolk Southern profits won’t suffer from derailment 

Two Wall Street analysts said Norfolk Southern won’t see a major hit to its bottom line following a major derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a village roughly 50 miles from Pittsburgh.

Bank of America and Cowen published reports on Tuesday concerning the Feb. 3 derailment of some 50 cars, several of which were hauling hazardous chemicals. The accident has sparked international media attention. 

The 150-car Norfolk Southern train derailed on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. In the days after,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wall-street-says-norfolk-southern-profits-wont-suffer-from-derailment

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