(The Associated Press circulated the following article on May 5.)
CHICAGO — A freight train carrying coal derailed near Chicago’s downtown Loop before dawn Thursday, shutting down a Metra commuter train line for more than six hours and disrupting the morning commute for thousands of travelers.
Three coal cars tipped on their sides after the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Co. freight train derailed around 4:50 a.m., BNSF spokesman Joe Faust said.
No one was injured, but the derailment disrupted Metra’s Rock Island District train line, which travels between Joliet and Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station. About 16,000 commuters travel on the Rock Island line daily.
Commuter trains resumed service on the line around 11:30 a.m., with drivers told to move slowly through the area where the freight train derailed but normal service expected by rush hour, said Metra employee Jarica Edwards.
BNSF was investigating the cause the derailment, Faust said. He said the track at that location is owned by Canadian National Railway Co.