Oil train derails near Mosier in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge

[HuckleB]

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/06/oil_train_derails_near_hood_ri.html#incart_big-photo

"A multi-car oil train derailment Friday in the Columbia River Gorge near Mosier sent up a massive plume of black smoke and stoked long-standing fears about the risks of hauling crude oil through one of the Pacific Northwest's most renowned landmarks.

Ten cars derailed and some oil was leaking, said Jennifer Flynt, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. It wasn't immediately clear whether the oil had reached the nearby Columbia River.

"We don't know whether there's any environmental damage including whether there's spillage to the Columbia," Flynt said.

Two cars caught fire, said Hal Gard, an Oregon Department of Transportation rail safety official.

..."

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Oil trains should not be in the Gorge. This was bound to happen, but...

[L. Coyote]

1. Right beside the Columbia River, 8 oil cars ... KGW has a photo gallery up:

http://www.kgw.com/mb/news/report-fire-smoke-spotted-from-multi-car-train-derailment-in-gorge/230412557

?

[HuckleB]

2. Ugh. Depressing. Between PPS shenanigans and this, it's been a rough week in Cascadia.

[L. Coyote]

3. Given the proximity to the creek bridge, we got lucky this time, sparing the Columbia.

But, the inevitable will happen if we keep allowing oil trains along the river.

[gratuitous]

4. Can't imagine why folks don't want an oil terminal in Portland or Vancouver

Rail is a very safe method of transport. Until the moment it isn't.

I have a friend stuck in this traffic on her way to Walla Walla. She may have to make alternate plans.

[HuckleB]

5. Oh, geez.

Can she do 97 up and around Hanford?

I remember being up in the Methow Valley the weekend the floods took out I-5 in December 2007. Driving down 97 with semi after semi was crazy.

[gratuitous]

6. No, I think she's good and stuck on I-84

Been there myself, and there are stretches where there's just no way off the highway.

[HuckleB]

7. Oh, I know how that goes.

I now keep a couple books in the trunk, just in case.

[tenderfoot]

8. BFD. People are pelting Trump supporters with eggs.

Priorities you know.

[HuckleB]

9. Well, I do like to put a little oil in the pan before I cook my eggs.

[HuckleB]

10. Kick for DUers who care about reality.