The document describes a hazardous materials railroad accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the overspeed impact was the failure of the retarding system in the hump classification yard to decelerate effectively heavy cars with oil or grease on their wheel rims; the absence of a backup system to halt cars passing through retarders at overspeeds; and the routine acceptance at the Gateway Yard of uncontrolled overspeeds. Propylene leaked from the tank car because the tank head was too weak to resist the impact of the overriding coupler of the hopper car. Lack of specifications that define permissible impact and adequate crash resistance was a contributing factor. (Author Modified Abstract)


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    Title :

    Hazardous Materials Railroad Accident in the Alton and Southern Gateway Yard in East St. Louis, Illinois, January 22, 1972


    Publication date :

    1973


    Size :

    32 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English