Train carrying anhydrous ammonia derails in Alberta

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VULCAN, Alta. — A train derailment here yesterday had the potential to be disastrous, but fortunately no Canadian Pacific (CP) rail cars containing anhydrous ammonia were ruptured.

Eighteen cars of a southbound CP train left the track yesterday morning. Nine cars contained the toxic chemical. The Canadian Press reported there was a small diesel spill but it was contained.

Trucks were brought in to pick up product while the clean-up effort continued into the night. Darcie Park, a CPR spokesperson said anhydrous ammonia is transported in double-walled tank rail cars for this very reason.

"I think we saw here that a lot of those (safety measures) worked," she told the Canadian Press. The gas has the potential to cause explosions.

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