(The following story by Ray Snader was posted on the Citizen Tribune’s website on February 5.)
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — Cocke County investigators are to be joined today by investigators from Norfolk Southern Railroad in their probe of an alleged attempt to derail a train.
J.E. Owens, Jr. reports he was inspecting rails on February 5 when he discovered the problem behind the Wood Products plant, off East Highway 25/70 at 2:30 a.m.
Sgt. Jonathan Morgan of the sheriff’s office said Owens discovered a large metal bolt had been placed between “a stop rail and a switch rail.” In addition the inspector found wires had been tied around the rails. Owens said the large bolt could have caused a derailment.