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Coordinates: 38°8′55.38″N 81°17′34.07″W / 38.1487167°N 81.2927972°W / 38.1487167; -81.2927972
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Reverted to revision 648837501 by EoRdE6 (talk): Most content and all references were removed. I can think of no good reason for stripping this article so completely. (TW)
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{{Unreferenced|date=February 2015}}
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{{Infobox rail accident
{{Infobox rail accident
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| caption = The derailment site.
| caption = The crash site the day after the accident after some fires had burned out
| date = February 16, 2015
| date = February 16, 2015
| time = 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT)
| time = 13:30 EST (18:30 GMT)
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| crew =
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| deaths =
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| injuries = 1 <ref>{{cite web|title=Fireball fills West Virginia sky after oil train crash|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31498323|website=[[BBC]]|publisher=BBC.|accessdate=February 18, 2015}}</ref>
| injuries = 0
| damage = Railroad equipment
| damage = Multiple large fires<br>14 [[tank car]]s<ref name=bbc />
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The '''2015 Mount Carbon train derailment''' refers to a [[derailment]] in [[Mount Carbon, West Virginia]] on February 16, 2015 which involved a [[CSX Transportation]] train hauling 109 [[tank car]]s of [[crude oil]] from [[North Dakota]] to [[Virginia]].<ref name=Raby>{{cite news|last1=Raby|first1=John|title=West Virginia Train Derailment Sends Oil Tanker Into River|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/west-virginia-train-derailment-sends-oil-tanker-river-29004983|accessdate=February 16, 2015|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[ABC News]]|date=February 16, 2015}}</ref> The train was composed of two [[locomotives]] and 109 tank cars.<ref name=bbc /> It resulted in a large fire which forced the evacuation of hundreds of families and the shut down of two nearby water treatment plants.<ref name=Raby /> 14 railcars carrying crude oil caught fire, including one that plunged into the [[Kanawha River]]. Each car was carrying up to {{convert|30,000|gal}} of crude oil.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|title=Fiery train crash forces W Virginia towns to evacuate|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31492659|website=BBC.co.uk|publisher=[[BBC]].|accessdate=February 17, 2015|date=February 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/16/train-crude-oil-derails-in-west-virginia|title=Huge fire in West Virginia after oil train derails, sending tanker into river|work=the Guardian|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/02/17/usa-train-derailment-csx-idUKL1N0VQ0P820150217|title=UPDATE 5-CSX train hauling North Dakota oil derails, cars ablaze in W. Virginia|work=reuters.com|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/train-hauling-crude-oil-derails-and-sets-wagons-ablaze-in-west-virginia-10050447.html|title=Train hauling crude oil derails and sets wagons ablaze in West Virginia|work=The Independent|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/02/17/world/csx-oil-train-derails-west-virginia-least-two-cars-fire-towns-evacuated/#.VOK_E9XF_ME|title=CSX oil train derails in West Virginia; at least two cars on fire; towns evacuated|work=The Japan Times|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/west-virginia-oil-train-derails-and-burns-towns-evacuated-1.2959296|title=West Virginia oil train derails and burns, towns evacuated|date=February 16, 2015|work=cbc.ca|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>
The '''2015 Mount Carbon train derailment''' refers to a [[derailment]] in [[Mount Carbon, West Virginia]] on February 16, 2015 which involved a [[CSX Transportation]] train hauling 109 [[tank car]]s of [[crude oil]] from [[North Dakota]] to [[Virginia]].


==Background==
==Background==
The train was carrying safe, domestic [[Bakken crude]] from North Dakota's shale fields to an oil shipping depot in [[Yorktown, Virginia]].
The train was carrying volatile [[Bakken crude]] from North Dakota's shale fields to an oil shipping depot in [[Yorktown, Virginia]], using model 1232 tank cars, which include safety upgrades voluntarily adopted by the rail industry four years ago, the [[United States]] [[Federal Railroad Administration]] confirmed.<ref name=Raby />


==Accident==
==Accident==
At the time of the accident, the CSX train was traveling through Mount Carbon, West Virginia, in an area of town known as Boomer Bottom. There were no injuries. The state was under a [[winter storm warning]] and getting heavy snowfall at times, with as much as {{convert|5|in}} in some places. It is unclear whether the snow contributed to the derailment. Federal investigators were allowed to get within {{convert|150|ft}} of the derailed cars the next morning. During the emergency response, authorities closed the adjacent [[West Virginia Route 61]] in the area of the derailment.
At the time of the accident, the CSX train was traveling through Mount Carbon, West Virginia, in an area of town known as Boomer Bottom.<ref>{{cite web|title=In West Virginia, a collective sigh after the chaos|url=http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2015/02/18/In-Boomer-a-collective-sigh-after-the-chaos/stories/201502180150|website=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.|accessdate=February 19, 2015}}</ref> The state was under a [[winter storm warning]] and getting heavy snowfall at times, with as much as {{convert|5|in}} in some places. It is unclear whether the snow contributed to the crash.<ref name=bbc /> West Virginia Governor [[Earl Ray Tomblin]]'s spokesman Chris Stadelman stated that 26 cars left the tracks, 14 of which caught fire.<ref name=Raby /> A portion of the train hit and set fire to a house and initial reports state another rail car ran into the nearby river, prompting the closure of nearby water treatment plants. Some tank fires were still burning the following morning, but federal investigators were allowed to get within {{convert|150|ft}} of the derailed cars, and [[Appalachian Power]] crews were able to repair a line and restore electricity to about 900 customers. During the emergency response, authorities closed the adjacent [[West Virginia Route 61]] in the area of the accident. One lane of the highway was subsequently reopened to most residents, allowing them to return home.<ref>{{cite web|title=DERAILMENT UPDATE: Mt. Carbon and Adena Village residents authorized to return home|url=http://www.wvnstv.com/story/28120275/derailment-update-mt-carbon-and-adena-village-residents-authorized-to-return-home|publisher=[[WVNS-TV]]|accessdate=February 20, 2015}}</ref>


An investigation by federal authorities, using data found on the trains [[Train event recorder|digital data recorders]], revealed the train was traveling at {{convert|33|mph}} [[miles per hour]] at the time of the accident. The legal speed for the section of railroad track where the accident occurred is {{convert|50|mph}} miles per hour, eliminating illegal speed as a factor in the derailment. Oil spilled into a creek near the accident site, but tests have not found the areas [[potable water]] supply to be contaminated by the crude oil that leaked.<ref>{{cite web|title=CSX Oil Train Was Not Speeding in West Virginia Crash, Inquiry Finds|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/us/derailed-oil-train-was-not-speeding-investigators-find.html?mabReward=A1&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine&_r=0|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=February 20, 2015}}</ref>
==Post Derailment==
Federal railroad and hazardous materials officials are actively investigating the derailment. Governor Tomblin declared a precautionary [[state of emergency]] to calm overreactions in the region, and commended [[CSX Transportation]] on their swift response and cooperation.


==See also==
==Aftermath==
{{missing information|the evacuation of local towns|date=February 2015}}

One person was treated for potential inhalation according to CSX.<ref name=bbc /> The [[West Virginia National Guard]] is taking water samples to determine whether oil seeped into Armstrong Creek and CSX contractors also are monitoring the air for pollution linked to the fires.<ref name=Raby /> Federal railroad and hazardous materials officials are currently probing the accident and Governor Tomblin has declared a [[state of emergency]].<ref name=Raby />
{{Portal bar|Disasters|Trains}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


{{2015 railway accidents}}
{{2015 railway accidents}}





[[Category:2015 disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:2015 disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:2015 in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Accidents and incidents involving CSX Transportation]]
[[Category:History of West Virginia]]
[[Category:Industrial fires and explosions in the United States]]
[[Category:Kanawha River]]
[[Category:Oil spills in the United States]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in 2015]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in 2015]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Transportation in Fayette County, West Virginia]]

Revision as of 15:14, 28 February 2015

2015 Mount Carbon train derailment
File:Mount Carbon Derailment.jpg
The crash site the day after the accident after some fires had burned out
Map
Details
DateFebruary 16, 2015
13:30 EST (18:30 GMT)
LocationMount Carbon, West Virginia
Coordinates38°8′55.38″N 81°17′34.07″W / 38.1487167°N 81.2927972°W / 38.1487167; -81.2927972
CountryUnited States
OperatorCSX
Incident typeDerailment
CauseUnder investigation
Statistics
Trains1
Injured1 [1]
DamageMultiple large fires
14 tank cars[2]

The 2015 Mount Carbon train derailment refers to a derailment in Mount Carbon, West Virginia on February 16, 2015 which involved a CSX Transportation train hauling 109 tank cars of crude oil from North Dakota to Virginia.[3] The train was composed of two locomotives and 109 tank cars.[2] It resulted in a large fire which forced the evacuation of hundreds of families and the shut down of two nearby water treatment plants.[3] 14 railcars carrying crude oil caught fire, including one that plunged into the Kanawha River. Each car was carrying up to 30,000 US gallons (110,000 L; 25,000 imp gal) of crude oil.[2][4][5][6][7][8]

Background

The train was carrying volatile Bakken crude from North Dakota's shale fields to an oil shipping depot in Yorktown, Virginia, using model 1232 tank cars, which include safety upgrades voluntarily adopted by the rail industry four years ago, the United States Federal Railroad Administration confirmed.[3]

Accident

At the time of the accident, the CSX train was traveling through Mount Carbon, West Virginia, in an area of town known as Boomer Bottom.[9] The state was under a winter storm warning and getting heavy snowfall at times, with as much as 5 inches (130 mm) in some places. It is unclear whether the snow contributed to the crash.[2] West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's spokesman Chris Stadelman stated that 26 cars left the tracks, 14 of which caught fire.[3] A portion of the train hit and set fire to a house and initial reports state another rail car ran into the nearby river, prompting the closure of nearby water treatment plants. Some tank fires were still burning the following morning, but federal investigators were allowed to get within 150 feet (46 m) of the derailed cars, and Appalachian Power crews were able to repair a line and restore electricity to about 900 customers. During the emergency response, authorities closed the adjacent West Virginia Route 61 in the area of the accident. One lane of the highway was subsequently reopened to most residents, allowing them to return home.[10]

An investigation by federal authorities, using data found on the trains digital data recorders, revealed the train was traveling at 33 miles per hour (53 km/h) miles per hour at the time of the accident. The legal speed for the section of railroad track where the accident occurred is 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) miles per hour, eliminating illegal speed as a factor in the derailment. Oil spilled into a creek near the accident site, but tests have not found the areas potable water supply to be contaminated by the crude oil that leaked.[11]

Aftermath

One person was treated for potential inhalation according to CSX.[2] The West Virginia National Guard is taking water samples to determine whether oil seeped into Armstrong Creek and CSX contractors also are monitoring the air for pollution linked to the fires.[3] Federal railroad and hazardous materials officials are currently probing the accident and Governor Tomblin has declared a state of emergency.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Fireball fills West Virginia sky after oil train crash". BBC. BBC. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Fiery train crash forces W Virginia towns to evacuate". BBC.co.uk. BBC. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Raby, John (February 16, 2015). "West Virginia Train Derailment Sends Oil Tanker Into River". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "Huge fire in West Virginia after oil train derails, sending tanker into river". the Guardian. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  5. ^ "UPDATE 5-CSX train hauling North Dakota oil derails, cars ablaze in W. Virginia". reuters.com. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "Train hauling crude oil derails and sets wagons ablaze in West Virginia". The Independent. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "CSX oil train derails in West Virginia; at least two cars on fire; towns evacuated". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  8. ^ "West Virginia oil train derails and burns, towns evacuated". cbc.ca. February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  9. ^ "In West Virginia, a collective sigh after the chaos". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  10. ^ "DERAILMENT UPDATE: Mt. Carbon and Adena Village residents authorized to return home". WVNS-TV. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  11. ^ "CSX Oil Train Was Not Speeding in West Virginia Crash, Inquiry Finds". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
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