LPG Gas Train explosion in Italy

[Kevo00]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8125644.stm

This seems pretty crazy. Sounds like it might have been a track fault, but it just sounds insane. Be interesting if the design of tankers now requires a re-think.

Condolences to the relatives etc.

[Nawdic]

Oooooo... Now thats a biggie... I reckon that it was a track fault caused by human error or possibly sabotage...

[caveatemptor]

Highly doubt it was sabotage, but you never know. Sky are reporting that maybe one of the axles on the train gave way. It's pretty nasty, obviously condolences to the families (as if they're currently browsing tt-forums).

I wonder what the fallout of this will be. Berlusconi visited the area but was apparently jeered by some who blamed him (or his administration) for what happened. Obviously he is not personally responsible but if there was a fault at administrative level people will want to know. Berlusconi insists the tanks were safe, but Sky says people are angry at the company routing an LPG train through a residential area, a concern I can understand I suppose.

[Dave]

Somewhat comparable to:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/gla ... 856326.stm

?

[Ameecher]

But you can't really not route freight through residental areas since railways by their primary nature (at least in Europe) are for passenger movements.

They just get that Mussolini bloke back, at least he made the trains run on time.

[Comm Cody]

But you can't really not route freight through residental areas since railways by their primary nature (at least in Europe) are for passenger movements.

They just get that Mussolini bloke back, at least he made the trains run on time.

(Going into Rage Mode)
HE NEVER MADE THE TRAINS RUN ON TIME! HE JUST TOOK THE CREDIT!
(Leaving Rage mode)
Whew glad I got that out. But Seroiusly. Heartfelt condolences to the peoples.

[caveatemptor]

But you can't really not route freight through residental areas since railways by their primary nature (at least in Europe) are for passenger movements.

They just get that Mussolini bloke back, at least he made the trains run on time.

To say you can never not route freight through residential areas is a bit of a generalization and it would require detailed knowledge of the Italian rail system to assess. I suppose the answers will come in time as the Italians slug it out though.

If there is a debate it should be an interesting one, I never know which answer is the right one here. I suppose if you are right and there is no alternative route the people will have to make do, perhaps with increased safety features or something. The issue strikes me as similar to an ongoing dispute in Ireland over the laying of a gas pipeline by Shell in Mayo, which goes by people's homes. They fear for the safety of their families and property and there has been war over the laying of the pipeline over there.

[Ameecher]

But you can't really not route freight through residental areas since railways by their primary nature (at least in Europe) are for passenger movements.

They just get that Mussolini bloke back, at least he made the trains run on time.

(Going into Rage Mode)
HE NEVER MADE THE TRAINS RUN ON TIME! HE JUST TOOK THE CREDIT!
(Leaving Rage mode)
Whew glad I got that out. But Seroiusly. Heartfelt condolences to the peoples.

Did you seriously think that comment was serious?


Caveatemptor: Admittedly I don't know the Italian railway system intimately but I'm prepared to bet that you couldn't have routed this train to avoid residential areas.

[caveatemptor]

You're probably right about the rail, but there's also the possibility of transporting by road.

[Ameecher]

Which introduces a whole load more element of danger. Not least because you're letting Italian motorists influence what's going on. Alright sweeping stereotype but still, roads are as a rule of thumb much less safe than railways.

[caveatemptor]

At least with roadways you can keep a convoy away from densely populated areas.

I'm not saying I disagree with you but these are the arguments that can and will be made.

[Kevo00]

Really can't see how anyone could sensibly argue that roads could carry LPG traffic more safely, even with convoys etc. Its precisely for this reason that rail gets so much of the nuclear traffic, for example.

[ostlandr]

Just got an email at work earlier that stated that Italy has pulled all GATX owned tank cars off of their railway system pending safety inspections. Apparently it was an axle failure:

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/660143

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/03072009/323/ga ... blast.html

http://www.gatx.com/rail/index.asp