![Tank car and damaged building](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TRN_Cannon_Falls_Explosion.jpg)
Tank car of molasses explodes in Minnesota, damaging building
An explosion of a tank car full of molasses on Tuesday morning in Cannon Falls, Minn., spewed the sticky substance as far as a mile and a half from the site of the incident. RiverTowns.net reports the Cannon Falls Fire Department received a call about an overheating railcar at a Progressive Rail facility shortly after 7 a.m., then received another call minutes later that the car had exploded. Progressive had evacuated the area prior to the explosion; no one was injured, but the building where the car was located suffered significant damage. The Cannon Valley Railroad in Cannon Falls is one of 13 Progressive Rail properties in nine states.
Work performed during pandemic increases New York subway speeds
Thanks to work taking advantage of lower ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City’s subway system has increased train speeds throughout its system. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports installation of 919 digital timers on grade time signals, which control train speeds, have allowed speed limits to be increased at 270 locations. “We’ve continued to identify root causes for slower speeds, and we’ve continued to move rapidly to fix grade time signals that were defective and to increase speeds where it’s safe to do so,” Interim New York City Transit President Sarah Feinberg said in a press release. “But make no mistake, this is not the end. We will continue to inspect the system so that as new speed-related challenges emerge, we are prepared to address them promptly.” The work has allowed speeds to be more than doubled in some places.
South Dakota governor signs bill to rehabilitate DM&E rail line
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill providing $20 million in state funding for rehabilitation of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern rail line between Fort Pierre and Rapid City, S.D., DRGNews.com reports. The bill had passed the state Senate by a 34-0 vote in on March 3 and the state House by a 57-11 vote on March 8. The money is contingent on the receipt of federal grant money for the project.
Anyone outdoors within a 1-mile radius of the molasses tank car explosion should have had eyes closed and tongue out for the sweet taste of the droplets.
well what a sticky situation
I will never understand or condone taxpayer money being given to a private for profit business. If the investment is worthwhile there should be no problem getting bank financing.
Does molasses build up gas in a tank? If so there should be a vent?
It is just 101 years since a huge tank of molasses (2 million gallons, about 50,000 barrels) collapsed in Boston killing 21 people (most suffocated) and leaving a huge sticky mess.
Near North Station.
The molasses tanks car story is worth a follow-up. The exterior of the tank shows no damage in the picture. What were they doing and how did the process runaway and become an overheated car?