New York State, federal inspectors complete more tank car, crude route examinations

Last week, state and federal inspectors completed a new round of targeted crude-oil tank car and rail inspections in New York, examining 766 crude tank cars and 167 miles of track.

The ongoing inspections are part of Gov. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to address potential dangers associated with the transport of crude oil by rail.

Inspection teams from the New York State Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) carried out inspections of CSX Corp.'s Frontier Rail Yard in Buffalo and Canadian Pacific's Kenwood Rail Yard in Albany — the two main rail hubs for crude oil transport in the state. Inspectors also examined CSX's mainline track between Buffalo and Syracuse. 

Teams focused on track, track hardware and tank car mechanical safety equipment, including wheels and brakes. The teams also performed hazardous materials inspections to ensure that equipment such as valves, valve closures and placards that describe the cargo being shipped meet regulations. In addition, they checked tank car inspection and pressure test dates.

On CSX's mainline, inspectors found a split rail, resulting in a speed limit reduction to 30 mph, pending the rail's replacement. They also found 38 non-critical defects, including muddy ballast and loose bolts. All non-critical defects must be repaired within 30 days.

At Frontier Yard, rail equipment inspectors examined 102 DOT-111 tank cars and found 10 non-critical defects, including two worn brake shoes, a missing knuckle pin, three deflector shield with loose bolts and four damaged coupler tabs. FRA inspectors looked at 145 DOT-111 tank cars and found 11 non-critical hazardous materials defects, including 10 loos eor missing placards and debris on one tank car platform.

At Kenwood Yard, rail equipment inspectors reviewed 202 DOT-111 crude oil tank cars and found 12 non-critical defects, including seven worn brake shoes, four defective wheels and one missing knuckle pin. FRA hazardous materials inspectors examined 317 DOT-111 crude oil tank cars and found one non-critical defect for an obstruction left on a tank car platform, which was immediately removed.

Non-critical tank car defects must be fixed before a train departs the yard. If that is not possible, the affected car must be pulled from the train to await repair, according to a press release.

Cuomo launched the targeted inspection campaign began in February. Since then, the state and its federal partners have inspected more than 6,300 rail cars — including 4,292 DOT-111 crude oil tank cars — and 2,200 miles of track. They have uncovered 658 defects and issued nine hazardous materials violations.