Crude-by-Rail's New Workhorse No Better than the Old Workhorse

The new oil tank cars were supposed to be key to preventing the fiery explosions associated with oil-train derailments. However, four recent explosions since Feb. 14, with two occurring last Thursday and Saturday, all involved the new tankers.

2 minute read

March 10, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The latest oil-train derailment and explosion occurred early Saturday morning (March 7) in northern Ontario, Canada, a mere two days after a similar fiery incident near Galena, Ill. Outside of being in different countries on different railways involing different types of crude oil, the one thing they shared in common is that the tank cars that erupted in flames were CPC-1232s, "the new workhorses of the soaring crude-by-rail industry," write Russell Gold and Paul Vieira of The Wall Street Journal. "Built with thicker shells and pressure-relief devices," the CPC (Casualty Prevention Circular) 1232 is considered to be greater superior to the older DOT-111 tankers.

The first Ontario derailment and explosion occurred on February 14, two days before the incident near Mount Carbon, West Va. However, the problem with the newer cars was detected when an oil-train composed of the newer cars exploded on April 30 in Lynchburg, Va. It was was carrying crude from Bakken shale in North Dakota, as was the BNSF Railway train in Galena, Ill and the CSX train in Mount Carbon. Gold had written how this crude "contains a high level of gas, making it more volatile than other kinds of crude." The two Ontario, Canada explosions on the CN Railway line both involved tar sands crude from Alberta.

The recent explosions come at an odd time for the Department of Transportation (DOT) which is determining when to phase out the older DOT-111 cars. According to the Association of American Railroads, there are still about 100,000 of these cars in operation, as well as 60,000 CPC-1232s, write Gold and Vieira. "Final regulations for phasing out older freight-rail tank cars carrying crude oil and ethanol will be released May 12 instead of March 31 as originally planned, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation," writes Gannett's Brian Tumulty.  

Correspondent's note: Subscriber-only content for The Wall Street Journal article may be available to non-subscribers for up to seven days after March 9.

Monday, March 9, 2015 in The Wall Street Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

6 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City