CASSELTON, ND RAILROAD COLLISION AND 400K FUEL OIL
EXPLOSION/RELEASE – PRELIMINARY REPORT
On December 30, 2013, about 1411 central standard time, a westbound
BNSF Railway (BNSF) grain train, G-RYLRGT9-26A, derailed 13 cars at milepost 28.5
near Casselton, North Dakota. The grain train, operating on main track 1, consisted
of two head-end locomotives, one rear distributed power locomotive, and 112 cars.
One of the derailed cars, the 45th car from
the head end, fouled main track 2. An eastbound
BNSF petroleum crude oil unit train, U-FYNHAY4-05, operating on main track 2 collided
with the derailed car that was fouling main track 2 and derailed the head-end locomotives
and the first 21 cars of the train. The petroleum
crude oil unit train consisted of two head-end locomotives, one rear distributed
power locomotive, and 106 cars.
After the collision, the two crewmembers on board the petroleum
crude oil unit train exited the lead locomotive uninjured before ruptured tank cars
ignited. The crew from the grain train was
not injured.
Local emergency officials coordinated a voluntary evacuation of
about 1,400 people from Casselton. No
injuries to the public were reported.
The accident occurred on the BNSF KO Subdivision where train movements
were governed by the signal indications of a traffic control system. The maximum authorized speed for freight trains
in the accident area was 60 mph. Event recorder
data from the rear locomotives of both trains, as well as recorded data from the
signal system, were examined to determine train speeds and signal aspects prior
to the collision. The grain train was traveling
about 28 mph when it went into an emergency brake application. The petroleum crude oil unit train was traveling
about 43 mph when the train crew initiated an emergency brake application. The train was traveling about 42 mph when the collision
occurred.
Damage was estimated at $6.1 million. The accident occurred in daylight with weather
conditions of overcast skies, a temperature of -1° F, and wind from the north at
7 mph.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators have completed
the on-scene work near Casselton, ND. The
investigation will continue at the NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C. Preliminary results of the investigation include
the following:
·
Twenty-one cars from the petroleum crude oil unit
train derailed along with the two lead locomotives. Twenty of the tank cars were carrying petroleum
crude oil; one was a hopper car carrying sand.
·
Of the 20 tank cars that derailed, 18 were breached
(punctured).
·
Initial estimates are that more than 400,000 gallons
of crude oil was released.
·
From January 1–3, 2014, investigators interviewed
the train crews and first responders. Interview transcripts will be included in
the public docket upon release.
·
A broken axle and two wheels were shipped to the
NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further evaluation and analysis.
·
Locomotive event and video recorders were also sent
to the NTSB materials laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further analysis.
The parties to the investigation include the Federal Railroad Administration;
the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration;
the BNSF; the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and Trainmen; the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail
and Transportation Workers, formerly known as the United Transportation Union; and
Trinity Rail Car.
