Propane tanker upright after overturning during derailment in Manatee County

BRADENTON, Fla. - Two days after a train carrying propane derailed near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan joined local leaders on a tour of the area as clean-up continued.

"This was not wheel-related. This was related to a track matter, a minor one. It was a minor one that ended up into a derailment and this tank car did what it was designed to do which was to stay intact," said Robert Fay, the vice president of Seminole Gulf Railway. 

The derailment happened Tuesday near 16th Street East, near the Bradenton-Sarasota International Airport. On Wednesday, crews spent the day cleaning up. Officials said they've been monitoring for any leaks from the tanker carrying 30,000 gallons of propane gas since Tuesday's derailment, but none had been detected as of Thursday.

The tanker does not appear to be damaged.

One of the challenges they faced was getting the tanker upright, which crews were able to accomplish Thursday evening. Manatee County public safety officials and deputies were standing by as crews worked to get the tanker upright on its new wheels. 

The tanker is expected to be moved off the derailment site Friday morning, according to officials. 

Starting around 7 p.m. Thursday, some roadways around the tracks closed while the tanker carrying propane was flipped back onto its wheels.

In total, five railcars and two propane tankers were involved. According to South Manatee County Fire Rescue, the second tanker carrying propane remained upright, but jumped the tracks. 

Four of the rail cars were hauling sheetrock.

"Hopefully it opens up the conversation that railroads, over their long history, have historically moved goods safely and continue to do so and we are still a critical part of our economy," Fay said during a press conference Thursday. "We have not yet completed our own investigation nor have the folks from the federal government. All I can say is that this was not wheel-related, this was related to a track matter, a minor one. It was a minor one that ended up into a derailment and this tank car did what it was designed to do which was to stay intact." 

U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan joined local leaders on a tour of the area as clean-up continues.

"Now we are going to have to take a hard look at what happened here and what’s happening across the country. A thousand accidents a year I think a year or two ago it was 11hundred. It’s something we want to take a look at and make sure we are doing everything we can," he said. 

Officials at Thursday's press conference said the tracks in that area are regularly inspected and were in good condition as early as the week before the derailment. 

But the line is 100 years old. 

"We’ve got to make sure they are getting properly compensated so they can take care of the ongoing maintenance," said Congressman Buchanan. 

The Short line Railroad Tax credit gives 3,500 dollars per a mile for infrastructure improvements. Since October, Seminole Gulf Railway has spent $5 million repairing rail lines, following Hurricane Ian. 

"A lot of our funding this year, in particular our railroad was significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian on our Ft.Myers division line we lost 6 of our bridges which were completely destroyed," said Fay. 

An investigation will determine what caused the derailment in Manatee County. 

Buchanan said he wants a full accounting of what happened and how conditions on Manatee County's railroad tracks can be improved. 

"Until this gets cleaned up I’m not going to be comfortable enough. I think everybody feels the same way. I am confident it will get cleaned up quickly, but at the same token nothing is done till it’s done," Buchanan said.  "Now we are going to have to take a hard look at what happened here and what’s happening across the country. A thousand accidents a year, I think a year or two ago it was 1,100, it’s something we want to take a look at and make sure we are doing everything we can."