Defective axle blamed for 2013 fiery ND derailment

FARGO, N.D. >> A defective axle broke and caused a 2013 train derailment that led to a series of explosions just a quarter-mile outside a small North Dakota town, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.

A BNSF train carrying soybeans derailed and was struck by one carrying oil, setting off explosions near the small town of Casselton, about 20 miles west of Fargo. About 1,400 residents were evacuated from their homes. No one was hurt.

NTSB investigators said during a meeting in Washington that the axle made by Standard Steel in 2002 was on the 45th car of the grain train. Had the axle been subjected to more thorough testing when its bearings and wheels were remounted at a BNSF shop in 2010, investigators say the defect would likely have been discovered. Such testing is now required.

After the crash, themanufacturer worked with the industry to identify and remove similar axles that might have been defective. The agency said Tuesday that any remaining axles in question have likely been taken out of service and new manufacture testing should detect and prevent similar issues.

BNSF didn’t comment specifically about the NTSB findings, but spokeswoman Amy McBeth said the railway last year had its lowest number of main line derailments in company history.

“BNSF is committed to safety and preventing incidents in Casselton and all communities where we operate,” McBeth said in a statement.

Efforts to reach officials at Standard Steel through email and phone messages were not successful.

BRUCE CRUMMY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment in 2013in Casselton, N.D.