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Information about tank cars that carry flammable liquids

The occurrence

On 14 February 2015, a Canadian National Railway (CN) crude oil unit train was proceeding eastward on CN's Ruel Subdivision near Gogama, Ontario. The train was equipped with 2 head-end locomotives hauling 100 Class 111 tank cars loaded with petroleum products (Class 3 flammable liquids). Specifically, 68 cars were carrying Petroleum Crude Oil (UN 1267) and 32 cars were carrying Petroleum Distillates (UN 1268). The train was 6089 feet long and weighed 14 355 tons. These Class 111 tank cars were built to the CPC-1232 standard (see Figure 1).

At about 23:50, while travelling at 38 mph, the train crew felt a heavy tug on the train and a train-initiated emergency brake application occurred near Mile 111.7. Subsequently, the crew observed a fire about 10 cars behind the locomotives, so they detached the locomotives from the train. The temperature at the time was −31°C and the maximum permitted track speed was 40 mph.

This accident occurred on an isolated stretch of rail in Northern Ontario. Twenty-nine (29) tank cars of petroleum crude oil derailed, and 19 were breached, releasing about 1.7 million litres of product. The crude oil ignited, and the resulting fires burned for 5 days.

Figure 1. CPC 1232 tank car
CPC 1232 tank car

The occurrence train was designated as a "Key Train" operating on a "Key Route".

A "key train" is a train that includes:

A "key route" is:

There were no injuries reported, and no evacuation was required. The product in several cars was allowed to burn for five days. All fires were extinguished by 20 February 2015.

Standards for tank cars used in the transportation of Class 3 flammable liquids

The following table outlines the features of the standards for Class 111 and TC-117 tank cars used for the transportation of Class 3 flammable liquids.

Requirements Older legacy Class 111Note de bas de page 1 Class 111 CPC 1232 compliant New TC/DOT 117Note de bas de page 2
Non-jacketed and non-insulated Jacketed and insulated
Head shields No Half Full Full
Top-fitting protection Optional Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory
Thermal protection and jacketed Optional Optional Optional Mandatory
Normalized steelNote de bas de page 3 Optional Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory
Thickness and type of steel (minimum) 11.1 mm (7/16 inch) 11.1 mm (7/16 inch) thick TC128-B or
12.7 mm (1/2 inch) in ASTM A516-70
11.1 mm (7/16 inch) thick TC128-B or
12.7 mm (1/2 inch) in ASTM A516-70
14.3 mm  thick (9/16 inch) in TC128-B
Performance standards for thermal protection, head and shell puncture resistance No No No Yes
Enhanced performance standard for bottom outlet valves No No No Yes