The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a CSX derailment in Alexandria that occurred over the weekend. The train was carrying a combination of loaded and unloaded cars but none of those cars contained any hazardous materials. No injuries were reported.
Robert Sumwalt, NTSB Chairman, said that although the cause of the derailment is unknown at this time, they did discover some of the ballast gravel that underlies the tracks near the derailment location had slid from its usual position. During the course of the investigation, they will try to determine if the recent severe weather played a role in the derailment or if it was from a maintenance issue.
Several rail cars damaged the overpass during the accident. Two of the three tracks that go over the overpass are open but operating at reduced speed.
A spokesperson for CSX issued the following statement: “CSX is working closely with local firefighters and other first responders to assess the situation, and the safety of the community and everyone on site is our top priority as we develop a recovery plan.”
