News & Reviews News Wire CSX coal train derails in Richmond, Va.

CSX coal train derails in Richmond, Va.

By David Lassen | July 26, 2021

13 cars derail in Friday accident; some coal reaches adjacent river

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Derailed coal hoppers, some on their side
Thirteen cars of a CSX coal train derailed Friday in Richmond, Va. (Richmond Fire Department via Facebook)
Coal hopper on its side with wheelset in foreground
No injuries were reported from Friday’s derailment (Richmond Fire Department via Facebook)

RICHMOND, Va. — Thirteen cars of a CSX Transportation coal train derailed in Richmond on Friday afternoon, reportedly sending some of the coal into the nearby James River.

WRIC-TV reported the derailment occurred about 1:30 p.m. There were no injuries. Initial reports said the waterway was not affected, but drone footage on Saturday showed coal reaching the river. A CSX statement to the station said the railroad had performed a controlled dump of coal in the derailed cars to clear the area, and that environmental measures were deployed to make sure the coal had no impact.

The railroad said it was working with the city of Richmond and the state Department of Environmental Quality to make sure the area is restored. The cause is still under investigation.

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