(The Associated Press circulated the following article on June 25.)
BEAUMONT, Texas — Eleven cars of a 74-car cargo train derailed near the Neches River causing $1 million in damages. Officials reported no injuries or hazardous materials leaks.
The train included four cars with hazardous materials, but they remained on the tracks, said Randy Bennett, chief operating officer for the Gulf region of Watco Company, the train’s operator.
The materials included three cars of ethylene oxide and one of propionic acid, said Keith Lacaze, assistant chief operating officer.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department recommended evacuation of a half-mile radius as a precaution when the train derailed Friday afternoon. Few homes are in the area. The evacuation was later called off.
Of the derailed cars, contents included synthetic plastic, green railroad ties and particle board material.
Watco leases the track from Burlington Northern Santa Fe. No one else uses that particular line, Bennett said. The company will reroute its trains.
The Federal Railroad Administration is expected to investigate the derailment and inspect the tracks.