UPDATE: Toledo Blade
This morning's train derailment three counties east of the Allen County line is a reminder to citizens that area first responders always have to be prepared in the event such an accident would occur here.
The reports from Arcadia, Ohio (northeast of Findlay and south of Bowling Green) are that the fire from the dearailment of 18 cars carrying volatile chemicals could be seen from 20 miles away.
The rail map shown below from the Ohio Department of Transportation shows Arcadia due east of Allen County and served by Norfolk Southern.
Map credit: Map upper right from Google maps.
And remember that tracks run just behind the city county building downtown.Carrying every kind of hazardous materials imaginable.It could be a real disaster.The city could react to an emergency but there is not much they could do to prevent one.We have been lucky for a long time.
Ed. note: One could view it as lucky or one could view it as the result of Norfolk Southern, CSX and others having processes and procedures that have worked well in promoting safety for communities, their workers and for the benefit of their customers.
Fort Wayne is a railroad town and benefits mightily from the presence of one of the world's strongest rail companies. It should also be noted that NS just announced its assistance to firms making $2.1 billion of investments in 2010 for business expansion along its routes.
Posted by: John Bloom | February 06, 2011 at 10:09 AM