GATX 41623 and four other tank cars loaded with isobutane gas were uncoupled at the west end of Decatur Yard by a switching crew and allowed to free roll eastward on yard track 11. The car impacted an empty boxcar, and its coupler overrode the tank car coupler and punctured the tank. Isobutane escaped and vaporized for 8 to 10 minutes before it exploded. The yard, surrounding residences, and commercial facilities were damaged extensively by fire and shock waves. Seven employees died from burns, and 33 employees were injured. Three hundred sixteen persons outside the rail yard were also injured as a result of the explosion. Property damage was estimated at $18 million. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the overspeed impact between the heavy cut of tank cars and the uncoupled light boxcar, which resulted from the release of the tank cars at a higher-than-acceptable switching speed.


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    Title :

    Hazardous Materials Accident in the Railroad Yard of the Norfolk and Western Railway at Decatur, Illinois, July 19, 1974


    Publication date :

    1974


    Size :

    32 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English