(The Associated Press circulated the following on April 3.)
PALMYRA, N.Y. — An 18-car section of a freight train derailed in western New York early Thursday, spilling tons of coal onto the tracks and disrupting Amtrak passenger service as far away as Chicago.
The derailment of the 110-car CSX train, which was hauling coal from Buffalo east to Fort Drum in northern New York, appears to have been caused by a faulty axle on one car, CSX spokesman Bob Sullivan said.
Each car was filled with up to 100,000 pounds of coal. Sixteen of the 18 derailed cars tipped over.
The train was not carrying hazardous materials, and no injuries were reported, Sullivan said.
The derailment occurred at 12:35 a.m. in Palmyra, about 20 miles east of Rochester. It caused extensive damage to both eastbound and westbound tracks and halted freight and passenger train traffic in both directions.
Repair crews were expected to reopen one of the rail lines by Thursday night, Sullivan said.
“We have some trains that are being rerouted around the area and some trains being held until that track is open,” Sullivan said.
Amtrak passengers in western New York had to be transported by bus to their destinations, and the derailment also disrupted Amtrak services between New York City and Chicago, said Deputy Chief Rick House of the Wayne County sheriff’s office.
The train was traveling at 47 miles an hour when the derailment occurred, “which is well under the normal travel speed of 55 to 60 in that area,” House said.