(The following report appeared on the WKTV website on October 26.)
UTICA, N.Y. — A potential disaster has been derailed and now an investigation is underway into vandalism on some local train tracks.
On Wednesday afternoon, track workers discovered a manhole cover, a sign post, and a propane tank laid across the train tracks about 3-miles west of Albany…tracks that CSX owns, but many Amtrak trains cross everyday, including those on route to Utica.
Amtrak officials we spoke with say in all likelihood those items could have caused a train derailment, but in this case tragedy was averted. Now we all have seen the aftermath and destruction of a train derailment.
Back in March, a train carrying explosive materials derailed in Oneida luckily no passengers were aboard that train but it did shut down the area for hours and took weeks to clean up.
Amtrak representatives did release the following statement to New Channel Two regarding Wednesday’s incident.
“While it was a dangerous situation no one passengers or trains were ever in danger.”
Amtrak officials say it is common practice for workers to monitor the rails for problems. An investigation is still underway tonight… we did contact CSX for comment but we have not heard back yet.