Anyone near E. Palestine, OH?

[Basil]

Chemical (and radiation) accidents happen more often than we realize. Some recent events:

10 Notable Accidents and Catastrophes

This Encyclopedia Britannica list features 10 accidents and catastrophes throughout history.

www.britannica.com

It's pretty easy to get overwhelmed, with our 24/7 news and media barrages.

This one is pretty darn devastating if what my friend with family in the area is telling me. Not just a minor spill. I get your point but this is worth the air time in my humble opinion.

 

[NutmegCT]

I'd bet it's getting plenty of air time in Ohio!

 

[DrEntropy]

Eastern Ohio and Western PA. Enon Valley is a rock toss from there.

Now see I-10 near Tuscon, AZ has a chem incident.

 

[Basil]

I'd bet it's getting plenty of air time in Ohio!

Uh huh

 

[Basil]

More toxins than originally thought.

 

[Basil]

Eastern Ohio and Western PA. Enon Valley is a rock toss from there.

Now see I-10 near Tuscon, AZ has a chem incident.

Derailment in Texas.

Texas train derailment occurs just days after Ohio disaster

A train went off the tracks outside of Houston on Monday morning, before reports of another derailment in Enoree, South Carolina.

www.newsweek.com

 

[DrEntropy]

Could some of these be lack of maintenance on the nation's railroad infrastructure?

 

[NutmegCT]

Could some of these be lack of maintenance on the nation's railroad infrastructure?

ding ding ding!

You got it.

Same for bridges, highways, air traffic control, power grids, etc.

We like cheap goods and lots of toys, but we're reluctant to pay for maintenance of public services.

Ah, humans.

 

[Basil]

Could some of these be lack of maintenance on the nation's railroad infrastructure?

Absolutely 100% guaranteed! And it remains my ignorant opinion that this story should be getting much more national attention than it is. My friends family in the area is hearing zip from the Feds. They are frightened.

 

[NutmegCT]

If railroad infrastructure maintenance is the issue, shouldn't the railroad be responsible for neglect and advising the public? Railroads own the tracks - not government.

Here's what federal agencies are doing in Ohio now:

How Federal Agencies Are Responding to the Toxic Train Derailment in Ohio

Federal employees have deployed for investigative and cleanup efforts.

www.govexec.com

Just sayin'

 

[charlie74]

An interesting article I saw this morning:

Trains are becoming less safe. Why the Ohio derailment disaster could happen more often — USA TODAY

Efforts to keep costs down and make railroads more efficient have made trains less safe, experts told USA TODAY.

apple.news

chasing profits and hoping for the best…

 

[Basil]

If railroad infrastructure maintenance is the issue, shouldn't the railroad be responsible for neglect and advising the public? Railroads own the tracks - not government.

Here's what federal agencies are doing in Ohio now:

How Federal Agencies Are Responding to the Toxic Train Derailment in Ohio

Federal employees have deployed for investigative and cleanup efforts.

www.govexec.com

Just sayin'

You are correct. But this still should be getting more national attention. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I have seen similar disasters in the past that did get lots of national attention. Just sayin'

PS: Saw a presser with Mike Dewine (had to hunt for it) and he indicated that the railroad CEO has committed to paying for the cleanup.

 

[mikephillips]

Like every business they're run by money managers anymore and not really railroad people. So cashflow, in v out, is the primary calculation. What can they do to mostly avoid high cost problems in order to maximize profits. So, older rolling stock and engines, put off track maintenance until absolutely necessary and so on seems to be the business model.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Saw it on both NBC Nightly News and CNN, several times.

No doubt some of the cause will be attributed to infrastructure issues. I imagine this one will be a long, drawn-out affair...

 

[Basil]

Saw it on both NBC Nightly News and CNN, several times.

No doubt some of the cause will be attributed to infrastructure issues. I imagine this one will be a long, drawn-out affair...

That’s good to hear

 

[charlie74]

If this is accurate (> 'This is absurd': Train cars that derailed in Ohio were labeled non-hazardous — Grist <) then Norfolk Southern is going to be in the sh!t. Deservedly so…

 

[mikephillips]

Apparently it followed the rules. Seems if it is a small enough part of the train then the overall load can be labeled that way. Doesn't make sense, but it's probably one of those railroad pushed through rules.

And it was reported on the news tonight, over the last 10 years N&S has spent about $113b on equipment and maintenance with nearl twice that much on stock buybacks, executive compensation and dividends. Plus large cuts in workers actually out in the field running/maintaining stuff.

 

[John Turney]

Following the rules won't necessarily keep a company out of trouble. Just ask PG&E.

 

[DrEntropy]

If this is accurate (> 'This is absurd': Train cars that derailed in Ohio were labeled non-hazardous — Grist <) then Norfolk Southern is going to be in the sh!t. Deservedly so…

N&S are likely to pass "blame" downhill. Shorter portions of the railway seem to be owned/controlled by "sub-contractors" from what I've found.

 

[Basil]