(The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram published the following story by Darlene J. Taylor on its website on August 27.)
WALLACE, W.Va. — No one was injured when a locomotive of a 12,000-ton CSX train caught fire in the Rinehart community about 3:30 p.m. Monday, officials said.
The train was carrying 92 loaded coal cars and was 5,025 feet long, said Dan Murphy, CSX spokesman.
The fire started in the engine compartment of one of the train’s two locomotives, said Wallace Volunteer Fire Department Chief Marcus Shaw.
Three crew members in the first locomotive safely got off the train, Shaw said.
“Flames were shooting out of the locomotive about 12 feet in the air when we arrived,” said Shaw. “We tried an emergency shut-off for the fuel system, which did not work.”
The train tracks are about 70 feet from the road, where firefighters were able to access the site.
Firefighters tried putting out the burning diesel with foam, but that was unsuccessful at first.
“The fuel finally burned up enough that the flame was not as rapid and we were able to finish extinguishing it with foam,” Shaw said.
Later, there was a mechanical problem that prevented the CSX crew from moving the train.
“They were able to get the first locomotive started up but a decision was made to call in another train,” Shaw said.
The train was traveling from Grafton to the Marshall County community of Benwood, Murphy said.
CSX officials will investigate, Murphy said.
Firefighters from Lumberport and Shinnston volunteer fire departments assisted. About 12 firefighters were on the scene more than two hours.