Rail Tank Car Manufacturers Urge More Safety Features on New Tank Cars

A trade association representing companies that manufacture and lease rail tank cars said industry safety deign standards for rail tank cars used to transport crude oil or ethanol should be updated to require enhanced safety features.

The Railway Supply Institute, in a letter sent to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Feb. 12, said the tank car manufacturing and leasing industry believes newly ordered tank cars should be jacketed and outfitted with thermal protection and a full height head shield.

The letter proposed expanding the CPC-1232 tank car standard, a voluntary industry design standard that was adopted for all cars ordered ...