Western Railroad Discussion > Transformer Fire Along UP's Kansas Pacific Line

A transformer fire broke out at Xcel Energy's relay station near Chambers and Smith Roads along Union Pacific's Kansas Pacific line. It was extinguished about two hours after it began. Aurora Fire had 41 firefighters respond to a fire at the relay station at 15102 E. Moncrieff Pl. around 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, December 26, 2010. Smoke from the fire was seen for miles across the Denver metro area.

No trains were delayed in the Sable Siding area account this incident.

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That has to be some pretty toxic smoke. Do they still use PCB's in transformers?

Now I know what was burning as we drove out to the airport.

And in related news, I should be seeing a new transformer going by heavy haul through the East San Gabrial Valley in the next month.

New (2010) transformer in use only 13-days according to news report. Hope it came with a 30-day warranty!

Around 10 year ago, or so, they had a transformer fire and power outage just south of downtown Austin, TX.

The fire happened during the summer and it was hot. The transformer was also new. Cause of the fire, an aluminum ladder left in the transformer from the construction.

Having worked for several electrical utility companies, I am willing to be that someone left a ladder in the transformer.

Pat
South Austin, TX

Only "casualty" of PCB's that I'm aware of were the GG1's.

qman



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/10 10:47 by qman.

atsffan Wrote:
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> jst3751 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > And in related news, I should be seeing a new
> > transformer going by heavy haul through the
> East
> > San Gabrial Valley in the next month.
>
> Which substation is this heading for?

The main prescribed route for heavy loads such as transformers that are going east or north-east uses Colima and Valley blvds in part. Several times per year these large transformers will come in via the LB-LA ports and be trucked east or NE out of LA. As such, with this transformer toast, a replacement will be needed and there is a good chance it will come in via the LA-LB ports, even if from the manufactor located in Canada.

Probably made in Taiwan. upkpfan