It has happened. Pipelines have an advantage on cost and few spills. Rail has greater flexibility. Pipeline will occasionally have a leak; sometimes far larger spill.
Moving hazardous material is hazardous.
So what are the numbers... the odds of a oil car derailment vs. that of a non-oil car of similar weight.
Are these oil cars having problems at a disproportionate rate?
Crude as drilled is flammable in air. That is a problem. Might there be a way of mixing it with a fire suppressant that can be easily separated at the refinery end?