Al Ratner, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering,  was interviewed by KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA, on a train derailment Wednesday near Dubuque that caused

three tank cars to erupt in flames and three others to plunge into the icy Mississippi River involved outdated cars prone to punctures and spills.

Ratner was called upon for his perspective because he studies fires during train derailments.

The KCRG story is available at http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/fiery-derailment-near-dubuque-involved-outdated-tank-cars-20150204.