Montco To Simulate Derailment Of Train Carrying Bakken Crude Oil

Montgomery County will conduct a a full-scale exercise simulating the derailment of a train carrying Bakken crude oil, according to a news release Wednesday.

The exercise will take place on Saturday, June 11 at King of Prussia's Abrams rail yard along the Schuylkill River.

The county is warning all residents in communities along the Schuylkill River, and especially those in Upper Merion and West Norriton, to not be alarmed.

About 150 first responders and a large number of fire and other emergency personnel will take part in the exercise, the county said.

Officials noted that the drill would include “smoke” generated by a machine, similar to what is used in theatrical productions, and a training foam to simulate firefighting, which will really be akin to dish detergent.

Boats will be deployed for both oil containment and search and rescue activities during the simulation, authorities said.

Those boats will be launched on the West Norriton side of the river from ramps along East Indian Lane.

Planned road closures include N. Henderson Road at Beidler Road and Beidler Road at Abrams Road in Upper Merion Township.

Preparations for the event will begin at 7:00 a.m., and the exercise will start at 8:00 a.m. It is slated to continue through until noon. Organizers and participants should be clear of the area by 1 p.m.

The exercise is the latest in a series of planning and training sessions that Montgomery County and its partner agencies have engaged in related to a potential incident involving Bakken Crude oil dating back to 2013.

“This has been an ongoing concern of ours for years and we are pleased that our municipal partners in Upper Merion and throughout the county, the region, and at the state and federal level are working diligently with us to protect our residents, our environment, and our property,” said Montgomery County Commissioners Chair Josh Shapiro in a statement.

The exercise is being conducted by the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Fire Task Force, who will work with fire, police HAZMAT, and Urban Search and Rescue units from throughout the five-county region. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and the federal Environmental Protection Agency will also be on hand.