A fiery derailment that occurred in North Dakota on July 5, 2024, has underscored the urgency with which the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been urging the rail industry to replace outdated tank cars known for their propensity to rupture during crashes. This incident, which took place near the town of Bordulac, highlighted the dire consequences of using flawed tank car models, particularly the DOT-111, which the NTSB has deemed unfit for service due to their design vulnerabilities.
In its final report, released on Thursday, the NTSB emphasized the necessity of replacing these older DOT-111 tank cars, pointing out that the devastating impacts of a derailment are significantly exacerbated by leaks of hazardous materials. In the North Dakota derailment, methanol leaked from five breached tank cars and ignited in a fire, which further led to the breaching of three additional tank cars containing anhydrous ammonia. Such occurrences underline the critical need for stringent safety measures in transporting hazardous materials.
The NTSB called for a reevaluation of how railroads assemble their trains, stressing the importance of not placing flammable liquids in proximity to toxic chemicals that pose inhalation risks. Past rail disasters have demonstrated that incidents involving leaking tank cars that release hazardous materials can escalate rapidly into catastrophic events. Comparisons have been made to other significant rail disasters, such as the 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the 2013 tragedy in Lac Megantic, Canada, where similar tank car failures led to significant fatalities and destruction.
Despite the existence of newer tank car models designed with enhanced features to minimize rupture risks, the NTSB warns that some of these upgraded cars still possess thin outer shells, rendering them inadequate for the transport of hazardous materials. The NTSB has been advocating for the elimination of the use of DOT-111 tank cars for such purposes since the 1990s due to their demonstrated history of issues. While Congress mandated the replacement of these cars for flammable liquids by 2029, a significant number of older models remain in use for transporting substances such as gasoline, solvents, and other chemicals.
In the North Dakota derailment, the cause was attributed to a collapsed culvert beneath the train, which resulted in a broken rail. The NTSB's report indicates that the leak-prone tank cars were a critical factor in worsening the aftermath of the crash. Though regular inspections were conducted on the culvert, the NTSB noted that these assessments were not sufficiently thorough to foresee the potential for a collapse.
Fortunately, the crash occurred in an area with limited residential presence, leading to the evacuation of only two homes for two days while emergency crews worked to extinguish fires and manage the spilled hazardous substances. No injuries were reported among residents, although several workers involved in the cleanup experienced health issues potentially related to exposure to anhydrous ammonia.
In light of the NTSB's report, CPKC spokesman Patrick Waldron stated that the railroad is undertaking a careful review of the findings. However, responses from the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration to the NTSB recommendations have not yet been disclosed.
