UP crude oil unit train wreck in Columbia River Gorge

[pdx1955]

In the "it had to happen here eventually" department, a UP crude oil unit train derailed and caught fair in the town of Mosier, Oregon in the scenic Columbia River Gorge...



http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/06/oil_train_derails_near_hood_ri.html

[nkalanaga]

Latest reports from KOIN-TV in Portland sat that "there is no evidence any oil has reached the river", and apparently no injuries, so that's good news.

[Blazeman]

Sheen noted in river, source being sought.

Also, cars involved were current state-of-the-art design.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/news/Tank-cars-involved-in-UP-derailment-met-new-standards--48448

[lock4244]

The Titanic was unsinkable, too.

I find it more remarkable that this doesn't happen more often, given the amount of crude moving by rail and all that could go wrong.

[basementcalling]

The Titanic was unsinkable, too.

I find it more remarkable that this doesn't happen more often, given the amount of crude moving by rail and all that could go wrong.

Ditto

Rail travel is far safer than on the highway, but the quantities involved usually mean an accident on the former is a far bigger deal than on the latter.

[nkalanaga]

Imagine the mess if that had been a gasoline tanker on the Interstate, under the other overpass.  There probably would have been fatalities, and likely more water contamination.