Investigative Hearing

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. National Transportation Safety Board A recent Norfolk Southern Railway accident in East Palestine, Ohio, has motivated this investigative hearing. On February 3, 2023, about 8:54 p.m. local time, eastbound Norfolk Southern Railway general merchandise freight train 32N derailed 38 railcars on main track 1 of the Norfolk Southern Fort Wayne Line of the Keystone Division in East Palestine, Ohio. The derailed equipment included 11 tank cars carrying hazardous materials that subsequently ignited, fueling fires that damaged an additional 12 non-derailed railcars. First responders implemented a 1-mile evacuation zone surrounding the derailment site that affected up to 2,000 residents. There were no reported fatalities or injuries. The investigative hearing will discuss the following issue areas: Hazard Communications and Emergency Responder Preparedness for the Initial Emergency Response Circumstances that Led to the Decision to Vent and Burn Five Vinyl Chloride Tank Cars Freight Car Bearing Failure Modes and Wayside Detection Systems Tank Car Derailment Damage, Crashworthiness, and Hazardous Materials Package Information Parties to the hearing are the Federal Railroad Administration; Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; Norfolk Southern Corporation; Trinity Rail Management Leasing Services; Oxy Vinyls, LP; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers; Transportation Communications…