Monday, July 14, 2014

Significant crude by rail accidents in North America: 2013-2014


Data compiled by Amanda Stephenson. Graphic by Lucas Timmons.


According to Statistics Canada, in 2011, about 68,000 carloads of fuel oils and crude petroleum were moving along Canadian rail lines. In 2012, that rose to nearly 113,000. Between January and September of 2013, some 118,000 carloads had already been moved. The Association of American Railroads estimates 400,000 crude carloads will move in the U.S. in 2013, up from 234,000 in 2012 and just 9,500 in 2008.

Rail industry associations say their products get to their destination safely more than 99 per cent of the time. But the growing volume of oil shipments also heightens the risk of a spill.

Postmedia has mapped significant crude by rail accidents in North America in 2013 and 2014. Use the map and timeline below to find out about each accident.

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