Train derailment of propane cars in Manatee County draws federal attention. Here's what to know

Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan will be visiting the train derailment site on Thursday with Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Commissioner Mike Rahn and other county officials.

Southern Manatee Fire Rescue responded to the train derailment at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. Six rail cars had completely derailed and were on their sides – five of them carrying drywall and one carrying 30,000 gallons of liquid propane gas.

A total of 21 fire service personnel responded to the derailment with assistance from Manatee County Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management. Personnel are working to clear and repair the train track, and in the meantime, they have created a bypass to remove the railcars.

The derailment took place on a track that's a part of the Seminole Gulf Railroad, which spans 100 miles of track throughout Bradenton, Sarasota, North Naples and Arcadia. It’s responsible for hauling the region's liquid propane gas, lumber, building materials, plastics, steel and recycled materials.

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A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.
A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.

Where did the derailment happen?

The train derailment was east of 7425 15th Street East in Bradenton.

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What caused the derailment?

Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Robert Bounds said he was unable to share details on what caused the derailment and that the investigation will be conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation or the Federal Railroad Administration.

A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.
A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.

Were there any leaks?

Manatee County emergency crews monitored the air for leaks, and it was determined that the railcar carrying the liquid propane wasn’t leaking.

A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.
A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.

Were there any injuries?

There were no injuries, and representatives with the Seminole Gulf Railway said that the liquid propane railcar didn’t pose a threat to the public or environment.

A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.
A train carrying sheetrock and thousands of gallons of liquid propane gas derailed at 301 Boulevard East and 16th street on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. There were no injuries reported and there has been no evidence for a leak, officials said.

How has railway traffic been impacted?

Bounds said that a section of the railway will be closed, impacting railroad traffic.

"It will be impacted, but I'm not sure to what degree," Bounds said.

Seminole Gulf Railway will be working with vendors to make repairs to the train track and right the derailed cars. They're expecting the derailment to be cleared in the next five to seven days.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida train derailment in Bradenton draws federal investigation