DJ Hundreds Evacuated In Calif After Derailed Train Leaks SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)--Two hundred gallons of a flammable liquid leaked from a train that derailed near Los Angeles, forcing about 300 people to be evacuated from their homes, authorities said Tuesday. No injuries were reported. Thirteen cars of a 79-car Union Pacific (UNP) train went off the tracks Monday in San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. One of the 13 derailed cars leaked about 200 gallons of flammable liquid that appeared to be a chemical much like paint thinner, said Mark Davis, a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad. The leak was plugged and the liquid was transferred to trucks, he said. Another derailed car carrying chlorine was cracked but no leaks were reported, Davis said. That chemical also was transferred to trucks. Seven of the derailed cars carried potentially hazardous chemicals. The remaining six were empty. About 300 people from 100 homes in the area were evacuated, authorities said. It was unclear when they would be allowed to return home. The cause of the derailment was under investigation. The train, en route from Colton to Roseville in northern California, had three crew members. Davis said Union Pacific crews would rebuild about 640 feet of damaged track.
Where and how many placards are on a car? Can they be ripped off and lost when cars go on the ground?
I think they are in that metal, steel, triangular plate on the side. There is one on each side and one on each end. Nevertheless, I am sure they can easily be ripped off when the car derails. I think they display a fire code so the fire fighters use the appropriate suppression material. Cars are also labeled with paint, but I am not sure the rr/shipper wants the public to know (or doesn't want to advertise) the caustic nature of some of the items being shipped.
They know exactly what is in the car, they have to.... certain products can't be shipped next to certain other products. The HAZMAT placard will tell you straight of it is a flamable liquid, the number on the placard will tell you what it is. The conductors consist sheet should also tell you what it is, and the dispatcher should also have a copy, so he/she knows how to react when this happens and fast.
