Grain Elevator Blowout Pics

[Mr Fixit]

Interesting that there is only one Grain Hopper in the string of cars.

That would be because those [thankfully empty] tank cars are part of an ethanol unit train awaiting loading and the grain hopper is acting as the protective barrier car to protect locomotive crews in the event of a hazardous situation.

The weight and momentum of the grain spilling out of the silo was enough to overturn the ethanol tank cars and to separate them.

Had the tank cars had been full of ethanol then the whole situation would have required a HAZMAT Response by local police and fire units due to the fuel spill and the subsequent risk of fire/explosion.

If you look at the top of the silos you will note that the lid on the failed silo is not damaged in any way and there are no signs of fire/combustion.

If there had been a grain dust explosion then as the weakest part of a cylinder the top would have blown up and back first before the sides gave way.

Mark