Train Derailment Halts Railcars In South Charleston

A train derailment occurred at approximately 9:49 a.m. in South Charleston Thursday when seventeen cars on a CSX train came off the tracks near Central Avenue.  

South Charleston Fire Chief Virgil White was on the scene with his crews to assist. 

“We have multiple cars that’s been derailed on the railroad tracks,” White said. “It’s hauling grain. There’s no hazardous materials involved.” 

The train was carrying corn.  

According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, CSX is the state’s largest freight carrier with more than 1,100 miles of track. The Kanawha subdivision mainline sees from 10 to more than 20 train movements a day.  

There were no injuries reported and no reported impact to homes or businesses in the area. CSX crews were on the scene working to remove the damaged train cars and restore the track.  

A spokesman said CSX was hoping to restore train services on at least one rail line as quickly as possible. He said it would like be several days before investigators could determine the cause of the incident.