The National Transportation Safety Board says a fiery North Dakota derailment in 2024 reinforces its long-running call for replacing certain tank cars that are prone to rupture in crashes. In its final report released Thursday, the NTSB points to the derailment as evidence of the risks associated with “flawed” tank car designs. Multiple outlets report that the incident involved DOT-111 tank cars, commonly referred to as “workhorse” units used in rail transport. The NTSB has previously urged the rail industry to replace DOT-111 cars, saying their performance in accidents can be inadequate, particularly with respect to preventing or limiting product release. The reports state that the tank cars in question tend to rupture during derailments, contributing to fires and other consequences. The NTSB’s findings therefore add another instance to its broader safety recommendations aimed at reducing the likelihood of catastrophic releases from older tank car models. The final report closes the investigation and uses the derailment to support continued pressure for upgrades or replacement of tank car fleets.