- The two rail cars that split open and burst into flames during yesterday's oil train derailment in Illinois were retrofitted with protective shields to meet a higher safety standard than federal law requires, BNSF Railway (BRK.A, BRK.B) says.
- The train’s tank cars were the newer 1232 model, which was designed during safety upgrades voluntarily adopted by the industry in hopes of keeping cars from rupturing during derailments, but 1232 cars involved in three other accidents - including one last month in West Virginia involving a train carrying 3M gallons of North Dakota crude - have split open in the past year.
- The local sheriff says the train yesterday was transporting oil from the Bakken region.