Human error, automation, aging bridge blamed for Paulsboro
derailment  The blocks surrounding the Paulsboro train
derailment were evacuated and public schools were ordered closed
because of spiking levels of vinyl chloride in the air. The
blocks surrounding the Paulsboro train derailment were evacuated
and public schools were ordered closed because of spiking levels
of vinyl chloride in the air. (RYAN S. GREENBERG / Staff
Photographer) Posted: December 05, 2012  The freight train
derailment last week in Paulsboro likely was the result of human
mistakes (overriding a red stop signal), money-saving automation
(replacing a human bridge operator with an electronic system),
and overloaded old infrastructure (a bridge with parts dating to
1873), rail experts say.  The bridge failure and derailment
Friday dumped four tank cars into the Mantua Creek, one of which
ruptured, spewing hazardous vinyl chloride gas into the air.
Seventy people went to hospitals, and more than 100 residents
are expected to remain out of the