Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Note: This video was produced based on preliminary information from the NTSB and USEPA. For a comprehensive review of the event with more accurate details, see this 2024 study: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/ew/d4ew00456f
An overview of the 2023 Ohio train derailment.
Watch this video ad-free and get a special discount at go.nebula.tv/practical-engineering
Watch Sam's Prudhoe Bay episode only on Nebula nebula.tv/videos/extremities-prudhoe-bay?ref=practical-engineering
On the evening of Friday, February 3, 2023, 38 of 149 cars of a Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Five of the derailed cars were carrying vinyl chloride, a hazardous material that built up pressure in the resulting fires, eventually leading Norfolk Southern to vent and burn it in a bid to prevent an explosion. The ensuing fireball and cloud brought the normally unseen process of hazardous cargo transportation into a single chilling view, and the event became a lightning rod of controversy over rail industry regulations, federal involvement in chemical spills, and much more.
Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/
Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!
CONNECT WITH ME
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Website: http://practical.engineering
Twitter: twitter.com/HillhouseGrady
Instagram: instagram.com/practicalengineering
Reddit: reddit.com/r/PracticalEngineering
Facebook: facebook.com/PracticalEngineerGrady
Patreon: patreon.com/PracticalEngineering
SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv
DISCLAIMER
____________________________________
This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
This video is sponsored by Nebula.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Associated Press, Shutterstock, and Videoblocks.
Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com/creator
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Written and Produced by Ralph Crewe
Production Assistance from Josh Lorenz
Graphics by Nebula Studios
Note: This video was produced based on preliminary information from the NTSB and USEPA. For a comprehensive review of the event with more accurate details, see this 2024 study: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/ew/d4ew00456f
An overview of the 2023 Ohio train derailment.
Watch this video ad-free and get a special discount at go.nebula.tv/practical-engineering
Watch Sam's Prudhoe Bay episode only on Nebula nebula.tv/videos/extremities-prudhoe-bay?ref=practical-engineering
On the evening of Friday, February 3, 2023, 38 of 149 cars of a Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Five of the derailed cars were carrying vinyl chloride, a hazardous material that built up pressure in the resulting fires, eventually leading Norfolk Southern to vent and burn it in a bid to prevent an explosion. The ensuing fireball and cloud brought the normally unseen process of hazardous cargo transportation into a single chilling view, and the event became a lightning rod of controversy over rail industry regulations, federal involvement in chemical spills, and much more.
Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/
Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!
CONNECT WITH ME
____________________________________
Website: http://practical.engineering
Twitter: twitter.com/HillhouseGrady
Instagram: instagram.com/practicalengineering
Reddit: reddit.com/r/PracticalEngineering
Facebook: facebook.com/PracticalEngineerGrady
Patreon: patreon.com/PracticalEngineering
SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv
DISCLAIMER
____________________________________
This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
This video is sponsored by Nebula.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Associated Press, Shutterstock, and Videoblocks.
Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com/creator
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Written and Produced by Ralph Crewe
Production Assistance from Josh Lorenz
Graphics by Nebula Studios
