

Investigative Hearing: Norfolk Southern Railway Train Derailment with Subsequent Hazardous Material Release and Fires

June 19th, 2023
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold an investigative hearing open to the public in East Palestine, Ohio, on June 22-23. During the hearing, the NTSB will gather sworn testimony about the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment with subsequent hazardous material release and fires. It is a fact-finding step in our safety investigation, and the testimony will become part of the public record of the investigation.
Community members are invited to observe the two-day hearing in person or watch livestream on NTSB YouTube channel.
WHAT: An NTSB investigative hearing on the East Palestine derailment and subsequent hazardous material release and fires.
WHO: NTSB Board members, investigative staff, scheduled witnesses, and parties to the hearing.
WHEN: Thursday, June 22, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday, June 23, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern time.
WHERE: East Palestine High School, 360 West Grant Street, East Palestine, Ohio.
HOW: Attend in person or watch live on the NTSB YouTube channel.
Ammonia leak causes evacuation of 30 people from Port Canaveral business, ship
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Brevard County Fire Rescue hazmat team responded to a business in Port Canaveral on Saturday afternoon due to an “odor investigation.”
According to a news release, fire officials responded to the business located at 9042 Herring Street and evacuated the building and a nearby cargo vessel as a precaution while they investigated the cause of the odor.
Ammonia leak causes evacuation of 30 people from Port Canaveral business, ship
Joliet: Hazmat Spill Causes Traffic Nightmare on I-80, Delays for Miles
Joliet: Hazmat Spill Causes Traffic Nightmare on I-80, Delays for Miles
FRA Releases Supplemental Advisory Related to Hot Bearing Wayside Detectors

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on June 9 announced that it has made an additional recommendation to Safety Advisory 2023-01, originally published on March 3, addressing the use and maintenance of hot bearing detectors (HBDs) in response to the May 10 Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment in New Castle, Penn., which was suspected of being the result of a burnt journal bearing.
According to FRA, preliminary information related to this most recent accident shows that the train involved passed a HBD which alarmed prior to the accident.
Accordingly, FRA has issued this supplemental notice (download below), which adds a fifth recommendation to Safety Advisory 2023-01; Evaluation of Policies and Procedures Related to the Use and Maintenance of Hot Bearing Wayside Detectors, recommending that railroads “take action to evaluate the resiliency and accuracy of the overall process used to monitor and measure bearing health.
FRA Releases Supplemental Advisory Related to Hot Bearing Wayside Detectors
Safety Advisory 2023-01; Evaluation of Policies and Procedures Related to the Use and Maintenance of Hot Bearing Wayside Detectors
Safety Advisory Number : 2023-01
SUMMARY: Preliminary investigation of recent train derailments indicates the cause of, or contributing factor to, the incidents was a mechanical failure, specifically burnt journal bearings. Accordingly, FRA is issuing this Safety Advisory to make recommendations to enhance the mechanical reliability of rolling stock and the safety of railroad operations.
No active threat after barges carrying anhydrous ammonia break free in Lincoln County
LINCOLN COUNTY (KMOV) – Two barges carrying large amounts of anhydrous ammonia broke free north of Lock and Dam 25 near Winfield, Missouri, Friday evening.
A mandatory evacuation was emplaced for all residents within one mile south of Winfield Lock and Dam 25. The evacuation is now over.
“No further hazard. Just to confirm, no chemical release took place. Thank you to the barge workers and first responders,” said The Winfield Foley Fire Protection District on their Facebook.
Full article – No active threat after barges carrying anhydrous ammonia break free in Lincoln County