The cause of the initial derailment in Southern train 154 was the broken L-3 wheel on the 62nd car in the train. Contributing causal factors were the rough machining on the plate of the wheel, the tread-worn-hollow condition of the wheel and the sudden lateral loading on the wheel as it crossed the G. M. and O. crossing. The sudden lateral loading was caused by the tread-worn-hollow condition with an unknown degree of contribution of the slight out-of-level condition of the crossing under load. The cause of part of the spread of the fire beyond the immediate site was the projection of large parts of the tank cars long distances by rocket propulsion as the liquefied gas changed to vapor and was expelled through the ruptured open ends of the tanks. Contributing causal factors to the fire and explosions at the site were the large volume of propane released and set fire by the punctured tanks, tank shells weakened by mechanical damage and abnormal heat, and the absence of a pressure-relief system that would provide adequate safety release under such conditions. (Author)
Southern Railway Company Train 154 Derailment with Fire and Explosion Laurel, Mississippi. January 25, 1969
1969
80 pages
Report
No indication
English
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