Train Company Had Similar Ohio Derailment, Explosion Last Year

Wednesday’s train derailment and explosion was not the first of its kind for the company that owns and manages the train.

Norfolk Southern saw a similar derailment and fiery explosion in February 2011 in Arcadia, Ohio.

The train that exploded there also was hauling ethanol.

“It was just chaotic,” witness Chris Moses said at the time of the Arcadia fire. “The whole sky lit up and everything was orange.”

The Federal Railroad Administration did not return 10 Investigates’ calls for comment, but a story in the Arcadia area newspaper, The Advertiser Tribune, quoted the FRA saying that a broken rail led to that derailment and explosion.

10 Investigates uncovered recent lawsuits that alleged problems with switchers and signals were among the reason for at least two other recent train derailments.

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