Some railroad tankers with known design flaws could present a real danger to Marion and other populated areas as they travel through communities filled with hazardous liquids.
MARION - Dozens of trains carrying volatile materials converge on Marion daily. Local safety officials are very aware of the potentially explosive situation that exists.
For two decades, one of the most commonly used types of rail tanker has been used to haul hazardous liquids from coast to coast, even though transportation officials were aware of the danger of the cars tearing open in an accident, potentially spilling cargo that could catch fire, explode or contaminate the environment.
The rail and chemical industries have committed to a safer design for new tankers but are pressing ...