Aug. 2 – BORDULAC, ND – A train that derailed on July 5 near Bordulac caused an estimated $3.6 million in damages, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report on the incident released Thursday, Aug. 1.
The report states that 29 rail cars, including 17 tank cars carrying hazardous materials, derailed on the mainline of the Carrington Subdivision near Bordulac shortly after 3:30 a.m. on July 5. The derailed equipment included 12 covered hopper cars carrying plastic pellets, six tank cars carrying methanol and 11 tank cars carrying anhydrous ammonia.
Bordulac is located southeast of Carrington.
The report says methanol and anhydrous ammonia were released from multiple tank cars after the derailment. A fire also broke out after the derailment.
No injuries were reported. Reports indicate that some workers may have been exposed to hazardous materials during cleanup and have sought medical attention.
Aid workers have begun a voluntary evacuation of two homes for two days.
The Canadian Pacific freight train to Kansas City consisted of one lead locomotive, one trailing motor locomotive, 126 loaded cars and 25 empty cars.
The eastbound freight train was traveling about 45 mph at the time of the derailment, the report said. The speed limit was 50 mph.
“During the derailment, an automatic emergency brake was activated,” the report said. “Train movements near the derailment site are authorized by signals along the way.”
At the time of the derailment, visibility was dark and clear, and it was 59 degrees with no precipitation, the report said. The report also said the track and surrounding area were wet from previous rainfall.
The NTSB investigation into the incident is ongoing. Further investigation into the incident will focus on detailed assessments of tank car damage, review of maintenance and inspection records, additional infrastructure assessments, and further examination of onboard video and drone video after the accident.
“The NTSB has completed a preliminary investigation into the outward-facing video recorders from the crash train and two previous trains that passed over the crash site, as well as a manned CPKC survey car that passed over the track approximately 20 hours before the crash,” the report said.
The following parties are involved in the investigation: Federal Railroad Administration, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Union Tank Car Co., Trinity Industries Leasing Co. and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
The NTSB does not conduct air surveillance, test water quality, clean up the environment or issue evacuation orders, the report said.
