Facts and data are there on dangers of Phillips 66 oil trains

Jim Vint (“Out of sight, out of mind with dangerous train cargo,” Feb. 15) asks, “Why aren’t we given facts so we can see if the extra Phillips 66 trains would make a difference in the dangers we now face but ignore?”

It’s a good question, and one that has been brought to light with the opposition to the rail terminal project by communities up and down the Union Pacific Railroad mainline. The Phillips 66 supporters bring up the issue that we already have danger, so deal with it. That’s like saying, “You already have rattlesnakes in your front yard, so why not invite them into your home?”

Just recently there was a derailment in Martinez below Highway 680 with trains carrying sulfuric acid. Fortunately, there was no leak, and the “community dodged a bullet.” Investigators are looking into how the weight and movement of oil trains may be causing a higher incidence of track failures.

These oil trains, extending 80 cars or more, are the heaviest, weighing a cumulative 19,000 tons, and they add stress to the rails. Track failure has been the cause of 59 percent of the crashes, more than double the rate of freight trains, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis (“Why are so many oil trains crashing? Track problems may be to blame,” Oct. 7).

The data is there ... no more rattlesnakes.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Facts and data are there on dangers of Phillips 66 oil trains."