(The Associated Press circulated the following article on April 18.)
GOSHEN, Ind. — Eight cars of a Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailed Monday in northern Indiana, knocking out telephone service to about 5,300 people and blocking two rail lines.
No injuries were reported and no hazardous material leaked, said Susan Terpay, a railroad spokeswoman.
“We’re really lucky,” Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink said.
The trains that derailed at 6:45 a.m. hit a utility pole, knocking out 911 and telephone service in the city of Goshen, about 30 miles east of South Bend, and nearby Elkhart, Verizon spokesman Bill Kula said. By evening, about 2,890 customers in Goshen remained without service. Verizon hoped to have service fully restored later Monday.
The train, traveling east from Chicago, had two locomotives and 17 rail cars. Six of the cars tipped on their sides, while two others remained upright with their wheels off the track, Terpay said.
The derailment blocked both sets of tracks. The railroad hoped to have one set of tracks open late Monday and other open by early Tuesday, she said.
Some of the railroad cars carried trailers that contained packages being shipped through United Parcel Service, fire officials said. Several cars were ripped open and contents strewn along the ground.
Rail cars remaining on the tracks were moved from the accident scene.