Thirty rail cars left track in derailment in Alexandria

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Part of a bridge was knocked out by CSX train derailment. Photo from Alexandria EMS and Fire

Thirty rail cars left the track in a derailment in Alexandria

UPDATE: CSX and NTSB are conducting an extensive investigation into the cause of the May 19, 2018, freight train derailment. Hazardous materials were not involved in the incident.

The City of Alexandria remains at the scene of a CSX freight train that derailed in the Eisenhower corridor shortly after 7 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the lead investigating agency, and Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt III provided a public briefing at 5:30 p.m.

Chairman Sumwalt confirmed there were no reported injuries to anyone on or off the train, and none of the approximately 31 cars that derailed contained hazardous materials.  Although first responders arriving at the scene observed that a railway bridge had failed, the NTSB’s initial findings suggest the train derailed prior to the bridge and struck the bridge while derailing.

There will be an extensive operation to resolve the derailment and continue to investigate the cause.  There are no current road closures related to this incident. Passenger and freight trains continue to move through the area at slow speed, which may impact Monday commuters.

Wipe Out! CSX freight train lost 31 of 167 cars in May 19, 2018 derailment. Photo Alexandria Fire & EMS

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