On March 16th of 2019, a train derailment sent two cars off a bridge in Toledo, Ohio and sent four crewmembers to the hospital. It was an extremely terrifying event for all parties involved. For days afterwards, the public had many questions as to the cause of the derailment. However, after months of investigation, the cause of the Cleveland-bound train derailment was officially revealed.
The incident began when a 79-car train consisting primarily of tank cars carrying crude oil suddenly derailed as it travelled along the inspection track over the Maumee River bridge. Two of the cars dropped off the bridge, landing on the river banks below and spilling more than 63,000 gallons of oil into the river. The incident caused an evacuation order to be issued for residents in the area as well as disrupting the two major railroads that crossed the Maumee River.
Following the derailment, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) started a formal investigation to determine the cause of the incident. The investigation found the cause of the derailment to be excessive corrosion on the railway bridge, resulting in a weak structure. The NTSB also identified multiple contributing causes, such as inadequate inspections of the railway bridge and the failure of the bridge owner to detect and act on corrosion and other defects.
The incident caused a several area roadways to be closed, including the CSX Toledo Subdivision main line beneath the bridge. There was also a risk to drinking water in the area, as the Maumee is a source for drinking water for nearby communities. Fortunately, the spill was contained and there was no threat to drinking water.
The incident closed the already antiquated bridge until repairs were made, leading to a massive delay of rail traffic in the area. After months of repairs, the bridge was reopened on June 8th. The bridge has since undergone a complete overhaul and the issue of excessive corrosion has been addressed.
The incident emphasized the importance of railway safety and reinforced the need for frequent inspections and corrective maintenance on railways. It also served as a reminder of how dangerous conditions on the railways can be.
Overall, the Ohio train derailment will hopefully serve as a lesson in the importance of railway safety and maintenance. It is important to learn from this incident in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
