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.
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.
FULL STORY: Wrecks Hit Tougher Oil Railcars

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie