COVINGTON, Va. — Approximately 25 cars of a CSX coal train derailed this early this morning near Covington, blocking two local highways as well as both tracks of the railroad’s main line along the I-64 Corridor.
A CSX spokesman said the derailment occurred about 2:21 a.m. No injuries were reported, and the railroad is working with Covington police and other emergency responders to assess the situation. The cause is under investigation.
A railroad source tells Trains News Wire that early estimates are the route, which was handling coal and bulk traffic rerouted because of damage to the south resulting from Hurricane Helene, will be closed for 36 to 48 hours while the derailment is cleaned up.
WSLS-TV reports U.S. Route 60 and State Route 154 in Covington have been closed because of the derailment.
Covington, on CSX’s Alleghany Subdivision, is about 24 miles west of Clifton Forge, Va., and about 21 miles east of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
