GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. — Twenty-four cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Friday morning, resulting in a spill of sulfuric acid from one tank car, the Arizona Republic reports
The incident occurred about 25 miles south of Tucson. No injuries were reported, and the railroad said in a statement to the newspaper that “no waterways have been impacted, and air monitoring conducted at the site show no safety concerns relevant to air quality.” The Green Valley News reports the incident occurred at 10:30 a.m. and the spill was stabilized by 2 p.m.
The Santa Rita Fire District, a regional hazmat team, and local utility agencies responded to assist with the incident.
Sadly, there is seldom any follow-up on these reports as to cause. Rail problem? Bad bearing or wheelset or other problem with the rolling stock? Train handling mismanagement that created excess force on the train couplers? Even such non-threatening incidents destroy lading, rolling stock, roadside structures, sometimes locos and certainly schedules. Not to mention the track itself. Who’s keeping score to determine remedies?