I linked this article for those who had posted or read the thread(s) on the Lac Megantic, Quebec Canada tragedy. Seems there are more and more black tank car(s) in long trains on the rails, (here in Pittsburgh, west). Information indicates rail transportation for fuels is short term, until pipeline infrastructure is upgraded or completed. I like the buffer cars you see at either end of these long trains. IMO, All part of the intense world where we live. 
Mike CT.
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I'll add this:
Don't expect a fast change from Oil Tank cars to pipeline. Everywhere such a pipe is proposed there are many loud complaints about the effect it will have on something.
It's all good until it hits someones local area, then it's Not Allowed.
Thus the term: NIMBY's
We are fighting that here in New Hampshire with a proposed High Power line from Canada. It will reduce the cost of power a lot but we can't seem to get it done.
Great article!
However the end user of petroleum products - the American people - would complain if fuel prices rose substantially to help pay for the additional costs associated with non-rail transported petroleum products.
Definitely pipelines will reduce the amount of railroad transportation.
It's still a matter and give and take. You can't have your cake (cheap petroleum) and eat it too(super regulated transportation.)
You can cherry pick the facts and make an alarmist video like that for any subject under the sun. I notice that no mention was made regarding the events leading up to the derailment in Lac Megantic, i.e. leaving the train unattended on a descending grade without enough hand brakes set, etc., and that if widely recognized safe operating practices had been followed, no accident would have happened. Do they honestly believe that state of the art tank cars could have stood up to a pile up of that magnitude without any of them being punctured?
The video mentions a death caused be the oil train derailment in North Dakota, which is incorrect. As I understand it, not one life has been lost in the US due to an oil train derailment since they have become a big news story.
A truly EXCELLENT response!!!!! Thanks Kelly.
Concerning the future of pipe lines reducing the quantity of "oil trains" in the U.S., don't count on it. For one, the BNSF didn't order something like 1000 new design tank cars for the fun of it.
You can cherry pick the facts and make an alarmist video like that for any subject under the sun. I notice that no mention was made regarding the events leading up to the derailment in Lac Megantic, i.e. leaving the train unattended on a descending grade without enough hand brakes set, etc., and that if widely recognized safe operating practices had been followed, no accident would have happened. Do they honestly believe that state of the art tank cars could have stood up to a pile up of that magnitude without any of them being punctured?
The video mentions a death caused be the oil train derailment in North Dakota, which is incorrect. As I understand it, not one life has been lost in the US due to an oil train derailment since they have become a big news story.
A truly EXCELLENT response!!!!! Thanks Kelly.
Concerning the future of pipe lines reducing the quantity of "oil trains" in the U.S., don't count on it. For one, the BNSF didn't order something like 1000 new design tank cars for the fun of it. Most of the tank car trains always look new, at the worst well cleaned. Then there are the buffer cars, all different types and sizes. Is there regulations and specifications about the buffer cars? or is it just a "feel good" idea, that might help in a catastrophic event??
Buffer cars must weigh at least 45000 lbs. Can't be a flat car. Larry
I think some in the oil industry have grown to like the efficiency and flexibility rail provides. A pipeline needs decades of use to one location to be effective.
IMO, Pipelines may be a better choice for the lighter Hydrocarbons. Methane through Pentane. Larger hydrocarbon tend to be liquids at common temperatures and pressure, Much easier to tank and transport.
One of the considerations about the Bakken Oil/Energy is just how corrosive it is. There is also discussion about refineries set to West Texas crude may not be appropriate for Bakken Oil, requiring major investment and construction of new refining systems.
We will know, here in the Beaver Valley, whether the Shell Oil Cracker Plant will be come a reality in the next few months. The existing Zinc Corporation of America plant is gone, at our,(the state of Pennsylvania's), expense, and there are plans for major infrastructure renovation off I 376 to the development site. Pennsylvania has a change of political structure coming in January, It may or may not effect this project. Campaign rhetoric was based on the mega-energy companies paying their share of the energy wealth to the state. Rumor is that there is another player in the game if Shell backs-out of this investment.
Solid plastic product from the Cracker plant requires rail transportation.
You can cherry pick the facts and make an alarmist video like that for any subject under the sun. I notice that no mention was made regarding the events leading up to the derailment in Lac Megantic, i.e. leaving the train unattended on a descending grade without enough hand brakes set, etc., and that if widely recognized safe operating practices had been followed, no accident would have happened.
There you have it -- two employees (one who knew better and one who was not properly trained and did not start another engine to provide a source of compressed air) directly caused the accident -- not the equipment or the track. The lax safety culture at the regional railroad bears no resemblance to the safety practices of the big 5, which operate most of the oil trains.
The Weather Channel was purchased by MSNBC and has not been the same since.
Going downhill fast.
The penneast pipe line is vigorously being fought over here in western NJ.
http://www.njspotlight.com/sto...-western-new-jersey/
Definitely Nimby's fighting here!
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