COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two Norfolk Southern crew members were injured when their train derailed Monday morning, according to the Columbia Fire Department.
WIS-TV reports the derailment occurred about 8:20 a.m. and involved three locomotives and three cars of a train en route from Atlanta to Charleston, S.C. Photos show a number of container cars involved.
Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins said a fuel spill from the derailed locomotives has been contained. The railroad and private contractors are working with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to clean up the accident scene.
WLTX-TV reports the crew members were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
NS also had a derailment over the weekend in Kentucky.
Latest reports say an industrial locomotive (not a Norfolk Southern locomotive) had derailed on a track adjacent to the NS main tack. It was fouling the NS main track. Apparently, the NS train struck that locomotive, causing the derailment. This location is just a few miles east of Norfolk Southern’s “Andrews Yard”. Track dead straight for almost 18 miles. Industrial loco derailment must have happened just barely before NS train arrived. Will wait and see if further information is released. Praying for the two crew members involved.
Sometimes I feel like I am reading one of those rail history books with all of these black and white photos of rail disasters. Move forward to today with color photos with near instant viewing.
Apparently the stats say that the derails per ton mile are still very low, but my perception says since PSR they have gone up.
Trains and tracks can be fixed. Hope the crew will be ok.