NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on East Palestine Train Derailment, Identifying Overheating Axle as Possible Cause

A freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month, and federal safety investigators have released a report on the incident. According to the report, the crew operating the train did not receive a warning about an overheating axle until just before the derailment occurred.

The axle had been heating up as the train went down the tracks, but did not reach the threshold for stopping the train and inspecting it until just before the derailment. The train was traveling 47 miles per hour, slightly below the 50 mile per hour speed limit. The engineer received a “critical audible alarm message” and slowed and stopped the train.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report Thursday about the derailment. The report identified and examined the first railcar to derail, the 23rd railcar in the consist. The crew then saw fire and smoke and alerted dispatch of a possible derailment.

The NTSB is continuing to investigate the cause of the derailment. The report did not specify the type of cargo the train was carrying, but it is believed to have been carrying hazardous materials.

The derailment caused significant damage to the tracks and surrounding area, but no injuries were reported. The NTSB is working to determine the cause of the derailment and to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.