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dgibby

(9,474 posts)

27. I live in Clifton Forge.

Wed Apr 30, 2014, 09:39 PM

Apr 2014

We have the largest railroad expansion bridge in the world. Tracks run between Main St and the Jackson River, which is one of 2 rivers that form the headwaters of the James River approximately 2 miles out of town.

We have 2 lines running out of Clifton Forge. One is the Mountain Line that goes through Charlottsville, then on to Washington. The other is the River line that runs all the way to the CSX shipyards in Newport News, Va. The trains on the river line follow the James River all the way across the state, and engines are not needed to pull the trains as they are traveling down grade all the way. The engines are used to control the speed. My BIL was an engineer for C&O, then CSX and Amtrack before retiring. It's not unusual to see all kinds of oil, chemical, and coal trains passing through town 24/7. I worry that what happened in Lynchburg could happen here. Since the town is only about a mile square, I'm guessing we'd all have to be evacuated in the event of an oil or chem spill.

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Major fire, explosion after train derails in Lynchburg, Virginia [View all] undeterred Apr 2014 OP

Shit, right next to a river again Blue Owl Apr 2014 #1

Some of the blame may also lay at the feet of poorly maintained infrastructure. Agnosticsherbet Apr 2014 #3

True dat Blue Owl Apr 2014 #4

fwiw, vandalism could also be a cause... Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #13

Oh man..a CSX oil train crosses a trestle over the road 1/2 mile from my house. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2014 #5

That is my thought as well. n/t deafskeptic Apr 2014 #15

Isn't that where Liberty University is located. greiner3 Apr 2014 #2

Classy real classy Leontius Apr 2014 #7

That was my first thought. FreedRadical Apr 2014 #6

Did they ever determine a final cause for that Canadian disaster last year? Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #11

The investigation is still listed as "active." mahatmakanejeeves May 2014 #28

Oil train derailed and on fire in Lynchburg, Virginia mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2014 #8

I live in Clifton Forge. dgibby Apr 2014 #27

Burning oil flowing into James River! Obama needs to take emergency action on this issue. Divernan Apr 2014 #9

Burning slick on the water Submariner Apr 2014 #19

At least 4 cars completely in river; at least 3 of those split open Divernan Apr 2014 #21

I was hoping it would burn up, but I guess not. undeterred Apr 2014 #23

Impressive fire. nt Crabby Appleton Apr 2014 #26

K&R DeSwiss Apr 2014 #10

Richmond stops withdrawing from James River following Lynchburg derailment undeterred Apr 2014 #12

Well I guess I will have to buy bottled water. I live a mile away from explosion. n/t deafskeptic Apr 2014 #17

If the Keystone Pipeline is approved, the derailings will stop. PeoViejo Apr 2014 #14

I don't know, that's a seriously "tin-hat" suggestion. BlueEye Apr 2014 #18

Pipelines=Cheap steel prone to cracking,bad welds,sloppy concrete jobs,fudged pressure testing Divernan Apr 2014 #22

Fair enough, shame on TransCanada for being dishonest. BlueEye Apr 2014 #25

K&R nt greyl Apr 2014 #16

Right after VA_Jill Apr 2014 #20

What exactly are you suggesting? undeterred Apr 2014 #24