A 90-car train transporting crude oil derailed and caught fire on 8 November 2013 near Aliceville, AL, USA. 11 of the train cars caught fire and a total of 25 cars derailed. The derailment occurred in the vicinity of a 60-foot-long, 10-foot-high wooden trestle, the site of which is beneath the derailed cars. The cause of the derailment will be determined following completion of an investigation. An unknown quantity of crude oil has entered the marshland. However, containment has been placed upstream and downstream of the derailment. The track has now been cleared and site environmental remediation has started.

The train consisted of three locomotives, two required buffer cars, and 90 T-108 tank cars, each of which contained approximately 30,000 gallons of crude oil. It is believed that approximately 25 tank cars derailed in the incident. The cars that did not derail have been taken north, approximately five miles along the railroad to storage.

The locomotive data recorders indicate that the train was travelling below the posted track speed of 40mph. No issues have been found with the performance of the train’s two-man crew. Federal regulations require that the track be inspected weekly, and the track was last inspected on Monday, 4 November 2013. The most recent train to traverse this section of track was approximately 2.5 hours prior to the derailment.

An unknown quantity of crude oil has entered the adjacent marshland. However, containment has been placed upstream and downstream of the derailment. Genesee & Wyoming, the railroad, takes full responsibility for this cleanup, which will continue until the site is remediated. Hazmat contractors experienced in crude oil cleanup are on location.

 (Spill-international, Edited by Topco)