NEW SALEM, Ill. — Clean-up is continuing, but Norfolk Southern expected to have its line reopened Wednesday evening following a 20-car derailment Tuesday, Dec. 12, on its main line west of Springfield, Ill.
The Quincy Herald-Whig reports the derailment did not involve any hazardous materials. KQHA-TV reports the incident was reported to authorities at 11:44 a.m., and that no injuries were reported. WGEM-TV reports an 89-car train was involved.
New Salem is approximately 30 miles east of Hannibal, Mo., on NS’ former Norfolk & Western Springfield-Hannibal District.
FYI: There is Lincoln’s New Salem State Park between Springfield and Petersburg, Illinois. The rail going by there is the Illinois & Midland.
Then there is the town of New Salem between Springfield and Hannibal where the NS route runs.
The story threw me off for a second, as I was getting my “New Salem’s” mixed up.
A sawtooth grade profile through this area, the line climbing out of Mississippi River valley to the west and Ilinois River valley to the east. Used to be worse. Was helper territory during Wabash steam era. The line was reworked after WW2. The Baylis cutoff is visible on Google satellite views just to the west.
Another narrow escape in North American derailment history!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün