US safety board: Oil train tank cars need urgent upgrades

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a series of recommendations calling for railroad tank cars to be fitted with protective systems better able to withstand fire.

NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart told The Associated Press that any more delays in retrofitting would continue to expose the public to cars that he says "aren't especially robust."

One alternative cited by the safety board would equip flammable liquids cars with ceramic "thermal blankets" that surround the tank and shield it from intense heat.

The Association of American Railroads said in response to the NTSB announcement that it supports aggressive steps to retrofit or replace the tank car fleet.

The Railway Supply Institute, which represents tank car users and manufacturers, said the companies are ready to do more, but it will take time.