JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An empty CSX Transportation coal train struck a rock slide and derailed in Sandstone, W.Va., on Wednesday morning.
All four of the train’s locomotives and nine coal hoppers derailed, the railroad said in a statement. The boulders are estimated to be 10 feet high and 25 feet long.
“The lead locomotive had three crew members — a conductor, an engineer, and an engineer trainee — onboard,” the railroad said. “The locomotive caught fire, but all three crew members are safe and being evaluated and treated for non-life threatening injuries.”
The engineer suffered a compound leg fracture when the lead locomotive rolled over. The engineer trainee remains in the hospital for observation, while the train’s conductor has been treated and released.
Sandstone is located in the rugged New River Gorge. The 4:51 a.m. derailment blocked both tracks of the former Chesapeake & Ohio main line. Photos taken by local news media showed locomotives on their sides, with two units at least partially in the river.
A CSX train rolled through the area about three hours before the derailment and saw no signs of a rock slide.
CSX said an unknown quantity of diesel fuel and oil spilled from the derailed locomotives and that measures were being taken to contain the spill in the New River.
“We greatly appreciate the swift actions of the local first responders in Sandstone that rendered aid to our valued crew members,” CSX said. “The safety of our employees and the community is our top priority as we dispatch our teams to assess the situation and develop a plan to completely restore the area. Our team is in close contact with local police and fire officials and we will continue to work closely with them on our recovery efforts.”
Amtrak’s Cardinal was cancelled in both directions between Huntington, W.Va., and Washington, D.C., as a result of the derailment.
— Updated at 11:50 a.m. CST with information on Amtrak service.
Updated at 1:40 p.m. with photo of rock slide and additional information on the status of the train crew.
Now, for the real question. If this location was subject to a single crew member district, with a “traveling conductor,” could the traveling conductor reach this site to assist the engineer? The forward camera doesn’t show much in the dark, other than an, “Oh feces moment.”
Slides not very predictable.
1. Harer to predict. Undermining below road or RR. m Much like Southern California where support underneath allows burden above ROWs to shift.
2. Vegetation new tree roots that loosen rocks. Roots that die and leave voids.
3. New buildings above ROWs change water routes.
4. Streams change routes.
One landslide falls on overburden and loosens it that will eventually fall.
5. Locally heavy rainfall.
The walls of the gorge can be steep and deep. Those rocks could have started from way up and back from the tracks. There’s been a lot of rain this winter and I’m sure the freeze thaw impact has been magnified.
Sack that trainee for putting it in the river.
Now we wait to hear from the lawyers for the rocks…
Hey haven’t you heard? Those rocks crossed the border some 150 million years ago and shouldn’t be there. Congress is going to allocate billions to help these rocks survive such a traumatic event. The rocks will file suit against the government becuase they are binary and suffer from geophasia. The rocks are going to set up tent camps in the capital in protest.
Alan: Do you think a work order has been issued for a slide fence? As you mentioned it is hard to predict where, but in this case there is no doubt. endmrw0308231647
can you imagine the horrifying sounds this accident made?!? Holy cow, it must have been crazy loud. So glad none of the crew were fatally hurt. A compound fracture is serious for sure, but this could have been much worse. Crazy stuff happens out there in the dark, lots is out of our control.
Apparently no slide fence ? It is hard to anticipate all areas that might have slides.
Looking at the size of those boulders, I doubt a slide fence would have done any good.
Well at least it doesn’t sound like track or equipment problems. Not much you can do when mother nature has one of her little fits.