Train explosion and derailment - photo and videos

Oil train derails and explodes in Casselton, North Dakota in 2013. Cause was a broken axle.

Fullsize image: https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...n_fullsize.jpg

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h..._explosion.jpg


Amateur 1:03 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo5VHYoAAKQ


Full NTSB report: https://dms.ntsb.gov/public/55500-55...926/603046.pdf

NTSB 3:36 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhra...ature=youtu.be


Local interview compilation; 4:18 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLfOQcmD868


Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...076#post138038
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...256#post109943
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...479#post117039
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...3329#post98769
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...1740#post75040
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...369#post135238
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...2811#post97204
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...403#post127265
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...093#post125754

So the cause was a broken axle? But what caused said broken axle? I suspect the true root cause was maintenance cutbacks in the name of increased profits.

Sounded like the radio chatter mentioned debris coming off a switch heater.
Eric