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TexasTowelie

(111,282 posts)
Mon Apr 22, 2013, 11:47 PM Apr 2013

Official suggests rail car may have led to West explosion

AUSTIN — The chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality raised the idea Monday that the explosion at a fertilizer plant that devastated the tiny town of West may have stemmed from a rail car reportedly loaded with ammonium nitrate.

"I would submit to you that the ammonia tank that's been a lot of people's focus was likely not what we saw exploding there," TCEQ Chairman Bryan Shaw said at a forum sponsored by the Texas Tribune.

"It's more likely — as I've done some analysis of that — that it's likely possibly a rail car with ammonium nitrate in it," Shaw said. "That's early, early — just looking at some of the visual studies."

Shaw said identifying what caused the explosion will let officials know how to take action to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Official-suggests-rail-car-may-have-led-to-West-4453471.php .

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Mika

(17,751 posts)
1. Holy jeezuz. Rail cars rolling all over the country filled w/explosive that can do that much damage
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 12:04 AM
Apr 2013

... each one?




kentauros

(29,414 posts)
6. Sure.
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 08:48 AM
Apr 2013

Rail isn't just dry, finished goods. It's also chemicals, including propane, caustics, acids, and gases you wouldn't want to be near it if leaked.

I can't look at youtube here, but do a search on propane railcars blowing up, like after a derailment...

white cloud

(2,567 posts)
2. If you look at aerials pictures
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 12:05 AM
Apr 2013

the rail car it is still intact and rolled over away from blast and on the side track. The blast center crater is about 50 foot away where the dry barn storage was at.
Check the aerials.

DhhD

(4,695 posts)
10. There should be less damage behind a retaining structure like a railroad car, drawn from the center
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 11:10 AM
Apr 2013

depending on the angles, if there was one explosion. Several explosions could have occurred. IMO, there may have been multiple fire/ignition and or a combination of violations, therefore several small chain reactions and larger and largest explosions.

DhhD

(4,695 posts)
9. In my opinion, it seems like the State of Texas knows it is going to be sued. So they are making
Tue Apr 23, 2013, 10:48 AM
Apr 2013

excuses to get propaganda and brainwashing out to the possible jurors. Texas taxpayers are going to PAY for Deregulation and TEA Partying, with big money awards.

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