Train Derailment in Spartanburg

[GSP Tiger]

I could be mistaken, but did I hear of a disrailment in the tank farm today?

[Spartan]

Nope, that was in Pacolet, which is a few miles from there.

[GSP Tiger]

I think one of the tanker cars that derailed contained ethylene oxide, something slightly more dangerous than chlorine.

WSPA did a report a couple weeks ago about possible problems in the tank farm.

[Spartan]

Oh. I am not sure about that one. I know WSPA did a report on some rail cars that were being stored near the tank farms which were moved not long after the report. Is that what you are talking about?

[GSP Tiger]

Yes, I think that was the report.

[Spartan]

Ok, I heard a news report on this today. The incident you originally spoke about was in Whitestone at the BASF plant. They said that the chemical in that tank could have leveled a 1 mile area around it if it had exploded. That is massive. There are areas outside of that 1 mile area that would be affected too.

That is a pretty scary thought to me, so I thought I'd make a map of it. Here is a map of areas at risk in Spartanburg County. This is the true purpose of GIS.

The colors are in 1 mile increments from the RR tracks in blue. I included an outline of the urban area in Spartanburg County so you can see where the people are concentrated. Most of it is in red.

[GSP Tiger]

Spartanburg is more of the upstate's center for railroads with CSX adn NS having lines in multiple directions. No matter where a railroad is or whatever is on the track, there is always that chance of danger occurring.

If I remember correctly, CSX has an active line from Greenville to Anderson. Does Belton's tank farm lie on that somewhere?

[Spartan]

Spartanburg is more of the upstate's center for railroads with CSX adn NS having lines in multiple directions.  No matter where a railroad is or whatever is on the track, there is always that chance of danger occurring.

If I remember correctly, CSX has an active line from Greenville to Anderson.  Does Belton's tank farm lie on that somewhere?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, we are the Hub City

Yes, the tank farms are in the red zone. Those tracks that run by them are reflected in this map. You have to judge for yourself exactly where it is. Its on the one that runs SE from the city.