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The USA seems to be plagued by oil train derailments in the last five years or so. Could it be that the drive for bigger tankers for economies of scale may have a bearing. The bigger the tanks, the greater the risk of instability mainly due to lack of baffles (for weight saving) causing oscillation as the oil "sloshes" about. In aircraft where weight saving is critical, the fuel tanks are fully baffled to stop this problem. Another factor could be the poor maintenance of track. We often see "backwoods" railways with untamped track which give heartstopping videos of approaching trains.
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