Tag Archives: New Orleans Public Belt Railway

LATEST DERAILMENT: 2 tank cars carrying crude derail in New Orleans

Repost from The Huffington Post
[Editor: Following this story, the Huffington Post presents a slideshow of 14 AP photos, Oil and Fuel Train Derailments.  The photos include all of the “big ones” 2013-2015, and go all the way back to 2006.  This 3/1/15 Times-Picayune story has a bit more information: Train cars derail in eastern New Orleans.  Also see this WWLTV report.  Interesting context in this Times-Picayune story of 2/20/15: New Orleans officials insist they’re prepared for a crude oil derailment and fire in the French Quarter.  – RS]

No Spill Reported After Train Cars Carrying Crude Derail Near New Orleans

Posted: 03/02/2015 12:11 am EST
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Train derailment in New Orleans East at Almonaster Blvd. (Photo: Grant Yenni, WWLTV.com)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Fire Department says two train cars carrying crude oil have derailed in the city but no oil has spilled.

The department said in a statement Sunday night that it received a report of the derailment around 6:15 p.m.

The statement says two New Orleans Public Belt Railway cars each carrying 30,000 gallons of crude went off the tracks. Fire officials found no leakage and say there’s no immediate threat to the public.

The department said a re-railing company was en route Sunday night.

The cause is under investigation. Representatives for Public Belt couldn’t immediately be reached.

Recent fiery wrecks of trains hauling crude oil, including one last month in West Virginia, have intensified pressure on the Obama administration to approve tougher safety standards for railroads and tank cars.