Train Derailment and Fire in East Palestine – Cause Revealed

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a press conference on Sunday to share their findings on the cause of the train derailment and fire in East Palestine. According to NTSB member Michael Graham, two videos have been obtained that show preliminary indications of mechanical issues on one of the railcar axles.  In this case, the overheating led to a fire that caused the derailment.

Bob Hagan, a retired railway industry veteran, stated that there are hot box detectors that alert conductors to stop the train. The train did pass through one of these detectors, and the crew did receive a warning of a mechanical issue, but the train was not able to stop in time. Hagan believes that cutbacks in railway jobs are partially to blame for situations like this. The train was carrying 141 loaded cars, nine empty cars, and three locomotives.

The NTSB continues to investigate the incident and is working to lower the risks associated with the train derailment and fire in East Palestine.