CSX Train Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Snow Delays Repairs After Morgan County Train Derailment

Weather-related delays have pushed back the repairs of a Morgan County rail line after 10 cars on a CSX Transportation train derailed Monday afternoon.

After 10 cars on a CSX Transportation train derailed in rural Morgan County Monday, emergency personnel restored one of two affected rail lines in less than a day.

Emergency officials said they have already removed the rail cars involved in the incident.

But recent snow in the Eastern Panhandle has pushed back repairs on the other affected rail line, according to Sheriee Bowman, CSX senior manager of media relations.

Originally, CSX expected to complete rail line repairs Wednesday afternoon. But Bowman wrote in an email that weather has played a role in delaying the rail repairs.

As a result, service has not yet been restored to the Morgan County portion of the railway affected by the derailment.

As of Thursday, “work will continue throughout the day until service is fully restored,” Bowman wrote.

She did not specify when CSX expects to fully complete the rail line repairs.

Legislators Discuss Improvements To Rail-Trails

At the West Virginia Legislature’s third interim meetings of the year, lawmakers heard about efforts to improve the state’s rail-trail networks.

At the West Virginia Legislature’s third interim meetings of the year, lawmakers heard about efforts to improve the state’s rail-trail networks. Rail-trails refer to public, shared use paths built on a railway’s right of way, often after the railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed.

The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Subcommittee met in Charleston Sunday evening.

Assistant Commissioner of Highways Rita Pauley gave an overview of the system, saying there were close to 70 rail-trails across the state. She also discussed legislative activity to expand the system.

“It all comes down to what would be safe to develop and what the railroads are willing to allow because it’s their property,” Pauley said.

Senate Bill 588 dealt with rail line liability and also proposed updating the West Virginia Rail Trails Program with a “rail with trail” system that would develop public trails next to active rail lines.

Representatives from railroad companies CSX and Norfolk Southern were opposed to the idea, telling the subcommittee that inviting the public so close to active trains was inviting injury and possibly death.

“To impose the burden of people using a non motorized right of way next to an active rail line is a really tough burden and a tough threshold for the railroads to accept,” said Pat McCune, an independent public affairs consultant for CSX Rail. “There’s too much risk even with a certain amount of indemnification.”

The bill had widespread support in both chambers, but failed to pass before the end of the legislation’s regular session.

CSX Train of Empty Coal Cars Derails in Fayette County

This is a developing story. Please check back for more details.

Updated Tuesday, April 17 at 12:06 p.m.

New River Gorge National River spokeswoman Julena Campbell said in a news release the engine that derailed landed on its side near the New River.

She said no diesel fuel spilled and that crews are working to remove 5,000 gallons of fuel from the locomotive. CSX stated the ten derailed cars remained upright.

Campbell said the track is expected to reopen Tuesday.

Original Post, April 16 at 3:20 p.m.

A CSX train of empty coal cars has derailed in Fayette County. No injuries have been reported.

The train was traveling from Clifton Forge, Virginia to Hutchinson, West Virginia to pick up coal, according to a release from CSX.

The release went on to say that the derailment happened just after 9:30 Monday morning when the lead locomotive ran into a rockslide just south of the Thayer Post Office road crossing in Thurmond, WV. The collision derailed 10 empty railcars.

Preliminary reports indicate the nose of the locomotive narrowly dipped into the New River, which is adjacent to the tracks. Recent rain has resulted in higher than normal water conditions in the New River.

CSX personnel are working with local first responders to assess the situation. CSX is taking steps to protect the river and surrounding area and develop a recovery plan.

The train consisted of two locomotives and 97 empty railcars.

Full Statement from CSX Spokesperson:

“Just after 9:30 a.m. today, a CSX train headed to Hutchinson, WV derailed the lead locomotive and several empty railcars after colliding with a rockslide just south of the Thayer Post Office road crossing in Thurmond, WV. Preliminary reports indicate the nose of the locomotive narrowly dipped into the New River, which is adjacent to the tracks. Recent rain has resulted in higher than normal water conditions in the New River. Ten covered hoppers have derailed and are upright and inline. CSX personnel are working with local first responders to assess the situation and take steps to protect the river and surrounding area. The safety of the community, the environment and everyone on site is our top priority as we develop a recovery plan. The train consisted of two locomotives and 97 empty railcars.”

Note from Lawrence Messina, Director of Communications, W.Va. Dept. of Military Affairs & Public Safety:

“DMAPS is monitoring, but Fayette officials are handling the response.”