Nuclear reactors in power stations use fissile radioactive isotopes to produce heat, which powers turbines to generate electricity.
The disposal of spent nuclear fuel is a critical concern for all nations utilizing nuclear power.
The standard method involves sealing the waste in large, airtight casks and burying them underground.
There have also been attempts to bury nuclear waste on the seabed.
The nuclear flask train collision test at Old Dalby Station in 1984.
Spent fuel is still radioactive and produce significant amount of heat by radioactive decay.
Once they have cooled sufficiently, they are shipped off to processing plants in nuclear flasks.
In the United Kingdom, nuclear flasks are primarily transported by rail.
Nuclear flasks (white colored) sits on specially built wagons ready to ship.
In the two decades it had accumulated more than a million miles on its odometer.
For the test, it was pulling three carriages behind.
The locomotive was started remotely using a switch.
The Flatrol wagon body flew into the air and came down across the roof of the leading coach.
The flask used in the test is now on display at the training center at Heysham 1 Power Station.
Aftermath of the crash.
Photo credit:Nigel Tout
Photo credit:Nigel Tout
References:#When British Railways deliberately crashed a train
