(The following story by Diane Turbyfill appeared on the Gaston Gazette website on March 3, 2009.)
MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — Nineteen coal cars jumped off track Tuesday morning in Mount Holly.
The derailment happened at 10:15 a.m. causing little fanfare, according to Public Works Director Mike Santmire.
The stalled train caused Public Works employees some trouble getting to facilities. The train also blocked residents of Woodland Park subdivision, said Santmire. Major intersections were clear.
None of the 109-car train tipped over, but the leaning cars caused CSX crews to spend the day unblocking the intersection at Lee Street. Some cars were unloaded to allow them to be placed back on the track.
The cause of the incident has not been determined, according to Garrick Francis, CSX spokesman.
The train was making a stop at Dutchman Yard, a train facility in Mount Holly, when the incident happened, Francis said.
CSX trains typically travel through Mount Holly at 25 mph. This particular train was moving slower because it had just left Dutchman Yard, Francis said.
Crews worked into the night to get the train realigned. It could be days before the track is used again, Francis said. More than one track runs along the same line, so trains will still be passing through Mount Holly.
An investigation will be conducted, and the track will have to be repaired.
Francis could not say if storm debris was to blame for the derailment.