Norfolk Southern Derailment Ripley NY 3/1/16

Trains Magazine General Discussion
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http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/train-derailed-30-homes-evacuated

Norfolk Southern’s main line between Buffalo and Cleveland has been shut down, after 15-20 cars derailed at speed, around 10:00pm eastern time on 3/1/16, in Ripley NY, near the PA/NY state line. Hazmat team responded, reporting that two tank cars carrying ethanol ruptured during the derailment, forcing mandatory evacuation of nearby residents and businesses.

Unknown cause as of this time.

EDIT: second link, showing another report: http://www.erienewsnow.com/story/31361509/train-derailment-in-ripley-new-york

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Just east of South State Street. The CSX Chicago Line runs parallel, but was not involved. Other reports note that a limited amount of ethanol was spilled. A recently acquired foam trailer was used, although there was no fire reported to my knowledge.

N 42 15’ 54" W 79 42’ 33"

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Larry,

Correct, no fire, unknown (or at least unreported) as of now exactly how much ethanol actually leaked out of the cars, but they were (according to yet a different report, no link available as of yet though…) able to contain most of it. Also involved was a propane car, but it did not rupture.

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According to one of my friends, who was one that was evacuated from this, the ethanol leak is contained, although the evacuation is still enforced. They are hopeful that the evacuation order will be removed tonight, so long as all goes as planned.

There was a front that came through last night around the time of the derailment, along with a high wind advisory in the area involved, so, as we have the facts available currently, for the mandatory speculation part [:D] - Wind related issue? (Not crazy, as that had occurred nearby a few years back, just a few miles west actually. Had several rail cars blown into a local vineyard… Determined to be straight-line wind gust…)

And, before anyone else says it first, for the conspiracy theorists out there: Sabatoge by CP?!? [:-,]

[:-^] Now that that is out of the way, back to our regularly scheduled theme… [swg]

(Sorry, I just couldn’t resist the temptation of starting the speculation into cause in my own topic thread… [:D])

5

There was precipitation (including icing) involved with that weather system, and a switch at or near the point of derailment. Since I don’t know how much crud they got, I can’t say that’s a factor, but it might deserve at least minimal consideration.

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Latest update: As of 11:15 pm 3/2/16

Evac order still is in effect, and NS line is still shut down. CSX is operating at reduced speed, and NS will have a slow order once reopened. NS line will be opened once the local FD ok’s the release of the incident site. Local FD are holding off that release of the site, and therefore reopening the railroad line, and are keeping the Evac order in place, until both ethanol tanks and the propane tank car are completely empty. That work is ongoing, but is expected to be completed in the early morning hours. (While they are perfectly capable of doing this with rail traffic, and with people nearby, they are erring on the side of caution. Very good of them, IMO.)

NS should have trains running by mid-morning at the latest.

An NS spokesman stated that several of the derailed cars will remain on scene, for several weeks, and reminded everyone to stay away from these cars for their own safety. (He also stated that there will be railroad employees working on the removal of these rail cars, so that should discourage trespassing.)

Also stated by NS was the fact that this is an ongoing investigation, and they are not sure what brought this train off the rails at this point.

He (NS authorized spokesman) also pointed out that, although there was a hazmat response, the incident is extremely rare. Most derailments, according to him, do not release hazardous materials, and the few that do are even more rare than a derailment. He also stated that a derailment in of itself is extremely rare, and that they (NS) run hundreds of trains every month in this area with zero issues.

Also of point, it was reported that the hazmat response was quick, and effective.

Temporary tracks are now in place to get trains running, with a slow order, until everything is fixed and cleaned up.

And, as far as “crud” deposited by the weather system, if it is the same as what it dumped on me, near the PA/NY border (3 minute

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For “crud,” ours was a little more durable (several folks said they spent substantial time clearing their cars), but not at all thick enough to cause railroad issues. It was just a thought.

From what I’ve seen/heard, the hazmat response to the incident went well. We dont’ get a lot of that kind of business (especially railroad), but the teams do drill frequently.

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Update:

Evac order lifted @5:00am local time, trains are running at reduced speed.

Evacuee’s who faced expenses because of the incident are being reimbersed by NS for those expenses. (Must file a claim, and all related receipts be submitted with claim form.)

Still several railcars on the ground, and still an ongoing investigation into cause.

And, to Larry’s point, the Ripley fire chief stated that this was the first rail related hazmat call he has seen in his 35 years with the FD. (So, very rare there as well.)

Report also stated that about 480 gallons of ethanol leaked out because of the derailment.

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Cleanup of Ripley derailment is still ongoing, line here is reopened, but still has a slow order through the scene.

No official word yet as to cause, to my knowledge.

NS former NKP Buffalo-Cleveland line has again made the local news, for yet another incident this evening, however.

Further west, in Erie, Pa, another incident has the line shut down, yet again.

Train v. Trespasser incident around Asbury Rd. on the west side of Erie, called in by engine crew around 9 pm local time.

These poor crews, rail and emergency, can’t seem to catch a break on this line!

http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/womans-body-found-along-train-tracks