(The following story by Gus G. Sentementes appeared on the Baltimore Sun website on December 7.)
BALTIMORE, Md. — A CSX Transportation railcar filled with motor oil derailed on tracks cutting through an office complex in Locust Point this morning. Nothing spilled, and no injuries were reported.
Fire officials said the accident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. near tracks crossing Hull Street near Marriott Street in South Baltimore. The area is at the entrance to Tide Point, a waterfront office complex, and the derailment occurred about 30 feet west of Hull Street.
Numerous police and firefighters were at the scene this morning, but they were allowing workers to walk past the derailment. It appeared that the tanker portion separated from the wheels and slid off onto its side. It was the last car on a long train.
Mayor Sheila Dixon called today’s incident alarming.
“This morning we learned of yet another CSX train derailment in Baltimore City,” she said in a statement. “While we are thankful there appear to be no hazardous leaks today, this incident still warrants great concern for the safety of our city.
“I will discuss the derailment with CSX and our federal delegation in a continuing effort to improve the safety of the city’s rail lines,” the statement said. “There is nothing more important than the well-being of our neighborhoods and our citizens. I am dedicated to ensuring that our railroads remain a valuable resource, not a risk.”
This latest accident comes shortly after the Nov. 27 incident in which 12 CSX railcars derailed near M&T Bank Stadium. No leak or fire occurred then, but it renewed concerns raised by a 2001 derailment in the nearby Howard Street Tunnel that sparked a fire that burned for days and forced evacuations.
After the derailment last month, CSX assured Baltimore officials and representatives of Congress that the company is talking with state officials about including them in a pilot program that would give security officials access to information about dangerous cargo.