Train derailments

[Starr DiGiacomo]

Spain Experiences its Worst Train Accident in 40 Years An increase in train derailments was one of the first symptoms of the approach of Planet X to become noticeable, being expressed even before Planet X entered the inner solar system in 2003. Planet X was described as affecting the Earth from afar, like tugging on the edge of a spider web where the effects are felt elsewhere on the web; in this way there has been an increase in earthquakes and unpredictable weather going back years, even before Planet X entered the solar system, due to the increased swirling of the Earth’s core. It is therefore logical that an increase in train derailments would accompany any increase in seismic activity – train tracks need to be straight and even the slightest shift to the side of a section of track would cause a train to derail. The area most affected by train derailments is the stretch zone.  Stretch zone quakes are silent, and people are generally unaware anything is happening, although signs such as booms and trumpet sounds can occur. This zone stretches from Western Europe across the Eurasian Plate, and also includes the South-East United States, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Red Sea and the African Rift. In other parts of the world, shifting ground is more associated with earthquakes that people are aware of, such as the Pacific which is compressing, so authorities inspect railway tracks after any seismic activity, reducing the likelihood of accidents. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some Examples (click on pictures for link):

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/coal-train-derails-in-southw...

Coal train derails in Southwest Virginia

A Norfolk Southern train carrying coal derailed in the town of Appalachia, Virginia Saturday night.

Published: 11:03 PM EST November 19, 2017

A train carrying coal has derailed in the town of Appalachia, just west of Andover, VA on Exeter Road Saturday night around 8:40 pm.

Norfolk Southern and response crews were on the scene Sunday morning. Wise County emergency crews were also on site monitoring.

This is less than a month after a train derailed in the North Knoxv.... No injuries occurred in that derailment.

38 cars derailed. Four cars overturned into Pigeon Creek, spilling an estimated 400 tons of coal into the creek. Six other cars turned over on the bank of the creek. Norfolk Southern is working with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to minimize any impact on the local waterways.

Norfolk Southern and environmental specialists are using absorbent booms, silt fencing and hay bales to catch and contain the coal which spilled into the creek. Excavators and vacuum trucks will also be used to remove the coal.

The 2,800 foot long, 7,000 ton train was carrying a large amount of coal which is now being cleaned up.

Backhoes, front loaders and dump trucks are being brought in to remove the coal the cars were carrying.

No injuries have been reported and there is no word yet on what caused the derailment.

According to a tweet from the Virginia Department of Transportation, Exeter Road (RT 68) will remain closed for several days for cleanup and repairs. VDOT and railway crews will need to inspect the road and crossing for any damage before it can reopen.

Norfolk Southern released a statement through their public relations manager, Jon Hope which said:

"Norfolk Southern on Sunday is continuing cleanup and recovery efforts following a coal train derailment Saturday night on a rail line just west of Andover, Va., in Wise County.

The 2,800-foot-long, 7,000-ton train, consisting of three locomotives and 54 rail cars, derailed 38 cars. Four rail cars overturned into Pigeon Creek, spilling an estimated 400 tons of coal into the creek. Six other cars turned over on the bank of the creek.

Norfolk Southern is working closely with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to minimize impacts to the waterway. NS and contract environmental specialists have installed absorbent booms, silt fencing, and hay bales to catch coal particulates and contain the coal. The creek is about 10 to 15 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet deep at the derailment site. NS will use excavators and vacuum trucks to remove the coal from the creek and begin implementing a remediation plan to restore the waterway to VDEQ environmental standards.

The derailment has blocked a road crossing on Exeter Road. Norfolk Southern has two companies that specialize in emergency response on site working to re-rail or move damaged coal cars to clear the crossing. NS is coordinating efforts with local and state officials, including the State Highway Patrol and the Virginia Department of Transportation. NS hopes to have the crossing cleared of debris later Sunday afternoon. However, it’s not known now when the crossing will be reopened to traffic, pending a close assessment of damage to the track and roadway through the crossing.

The cause of the derailment, which occurred at 8:40 p.m. Saturday, remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.

Norfolk Southern regrets that this incident occurred, and we apologize for the disruption to the local community, especially to motorists who rely on Exeter Road. NS’ priority and focus is to remove rail cars and coal from Pigeon Creek and clear the crossing as soon as possible. NS appreciates the cooperation and professional response of local and state officials who have assisted."

This is a developing story. Our sister station WCYB in the Tri-Cities has a crew on the scene and is talking to Norfolk Southern. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

https://theeagleonline.com.ng/breaking-many-feared-dead-as-train-de...

Breaking: Many feared dead as train derails in Lagos

November 16, 2017

Many persons are feared dead as a train in the fleet of the Nigeria Railway Corporation derailed in Lagos State.
According to available information, the train derailed in Abattoir area of Agege in the early hours of Thursday.
The train, on derailing, was also said to have rammed into a trailer, leaving many killed and injured.
The development was confirmed by the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Olarinde Famous-Cole.
Famous-Cole, after an initial call in which he could not confirm the number of dead and injured, said three persons died in the accident.
He said: “We just got the information.
“Our policemen and those attached to the railway command are in control of the situation.”

[Starr DiGiacomo]

https://globalnews.ca/news/3857284/congo-train-derails/

November 12, 2017 5:42 pm

33 dead after freight train carrying fuel derails in Congo

Up to 33 people were feared dead Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a freight train carrying fuel plunged into a ravine.

The UN’s radio Okapi spoke of 33 fatalities with others injured or burned in the accident that occurred in the sprawling mineral-rich province of Katanga, which is the size of Spain.

“Up until now the toll is eight dead and several injured. The toll could be significantly higher,” Jean-Marie Tshizainga, the minister of mines of Lualaba province told AFP.

The train, in which the victims were travelling illegally, was running between the country’s second city Lubumbashi to Luena in Katanga.

The train was transporting 13 oil tankers and derailed while climbing a slope near the station of Lubudi. It fell into a ravine and the tankers caught fire, radio Okapi said.

“It’s a freight train that derailed and it wasn’t supposed to be carrying passengers. If there were people on board, we consider them to be illegal travellers,” said Sylvestre Ilunga Ilukamba, a senior official from the national railway company.

Katanga has witnessed several deadly train accidents. In 2014, a freight train derailed killing 74 people and injured 163, according to officials but the Red Cross said up to 200 corpses had been buried.

The national news agency a month later spoke of 136 deaths.

Another train accident in July 1987 near the Zambian border killed 150 people after crashing into a truck.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.wtvm.com/story/36783138/no-injuries-reported-after-train...

No injuries reported after train derails in Manchester, GA

Tuesday, November 7th 2017, 10:18 am EST

MANCHESTER, GA (WTVM) – New details are underway following a train derailment in Manchester, GA Tuesday morning.

The incident happened around 7:20 a.m. when a CSX freight train traveling from Waycross, Ga., to Birmingham, Ala., derailed six cars.

Five of the derailed cars were empty. The sixth car involved is a tank car containing fluorosilicic acid, a byproduct of the fertilizer industry that is commonly used to fluoridate public drinking water systems.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the derailment.

The CSX Spokesperson Rob Doolittle released the following statement:

CSX personnel and hazardous-materials contractors are at the scene of the derailment, developing plans for re-railing the affected cars and monitoring the status of the tank car to ensure the safety of the public and first responders. Work will continue at the site until all the cars are removed and damage to the tracks is restored. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The train comprised three locomotives and 120 cars total, including 98 empty railcars and 22 loaded cars containing a variety of freight, such as scrap metal, corn, cement, and wallboard.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2017-11-06/train-from-basin...

Four injured as train from Basingstoke derails

1. 6 November 2017 at 10:00am

Train from Basingstoke derailed in London

The train is said to have shaken before coming off the rails Credit: London Fire Brigade

A train from Basingstoke to London has derailed between Wimbledon and Clapham Junction.

The service is said to have shaken before it came off the rials.

Services have been disrupted.

The slow-speed rear-axle derailment on the 04.54 Basingstoke to Waterloo service occurred between Wimbledon and Wimbledon Park. This is affecting London Underground services on the District Line but will not affect South Western Railway services into London this morning. The train is eight carriages in length and it was the the rear axle of the 8th coach which came off the track at slow speed. We do not have any information regarding passengers on board the train at this time.

– South Western Railway

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Train-derails-4542...

Mining train derails in Negaunee

 

Posted: Tue 1:23 PM, Oct 31, 2017

NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WLUC) - Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad had a mining train derail around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Negaunee.

The train was transporting 60 cars with iron ore when it derailed near County Road 480. In total, 22 cars derailed and eight tipped over. The train was heading to the Marquette dock for loading.

No injuries were reported and there was no effect on the nearby roadway. Cleveland-Cliffs production and shipments will not be affected.

The accident is still under investigation.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has been notified and will be assessing any environmental impacts.

Crews are working on re-railing and repairing the track at this time.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/cn-train-derails-in-sturgeon-county-two-...

CN train derails in Sturgeon County, two neighbourhoods evacuated

Last Updated Sunday, October 22, 2017 5:45PM MDT

Two neighbourhoods in Sturgeon County have been evacuated after a train derailment in the area.

Canadian National Railway said a train headed south derailed at approximately 1:30 p.m. north of Sturgeon Road.

"We know we have multiple cars that are derailed,” CN Media Relations manager Patrick Waldron told CTV News on the phone. "We don’t have any reports of injuries.

RCMP told CTV News the Riverridge and Noroncal neighbourhoods were evacuated as precaution, but there are no safety concerns for the public.

Sturgeon County said approximately 46 homes were affected, and a reception centre is set up at Namao Hall located at 24400 Highway 37.

A man who lives directly in front of where the derailment occurred says the train was carrying oil.

"When I walked up to the tracks to check if the conductor was OK, you could see that some of the cars were leaking," Patrick Potter said.

CN’s emergency response is on scene investigating the derailment with local emergency crews.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://kticradio.com/abc_national/freight-train-derails-in-tennesse...

Freight train derails in Tennessee, slams into at least two buildings

BY ABC News Radio | October 22, 2017

@6News/Twitter

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) — A freight train derailed Saturday night in North Knoxville, Tennessee, slamming into nearby buildings.

According to ABC affiliate WATE-TV, the train consisted of three locomotives and 68 railcars. Twenty of those cars left the track, of which 19 carried shipping containers and one carried automobiles.

No injuries were reported. Crews are now working to remove the cars.

The train was not carrying any hazardous materials when it derailed, said Susan Terpay, director of public relations for Norfolk Southern Railway.

The derailment happened just after 10 p.m. EDT. According to WATE-TV, nearby residents said they heard a loud screeching sound before it happened.

Police tweeted about the incident Saturday night, confirming that at least two buildings were damaged.

At least 2 buildings damaged by train derailment at Inskip & Morton. @KnoxvilleFire accessing scene for any potential hazards. Avoid area. pic.twitter.com/6YwrM07YaL

— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) October 22, 2017

Norfolk Southern is leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment, WATE-TV reported, citing police.

http://www.12news.com/news/kpd-no-injuries-after-train-derails-in-n...

Police: No injuries after train derails in North Knoxville, multiple buildings damaged

Update | Oct. 22, 3:00 p.m.: A spokesperson with Norfolk Southern Railway said they have removed 11 of the 19 rail cars off the track after the derailment Saturday evening. 

The company says after they remove all the rail cars from the track, and they'll begin repairing the track.

Update | Oct. 22, 7:00 a.m.: Knoxville Police Department says Cedar Lane is now reopen for all traffic. Inskip Drive will remain closed for several days.

Update | Oct. 22, 12:20 a.m.: Knoxville Police Department says there were a number of rail cars as part of the train which was most likely a mile long.

There were no injuries from this derailment. The train is part of Norfolk Southern, and the company is looking into what happened. 

A spokesperson with Norfolk Southern said there are an estimated 20 rail cars carrying shipping containers and one rail car carrying vehicles that derailed. No hazmat was involved.

Police say they will arrest anyone who is not part of Norfolk Southern that is on the track as it is currently a safety hazard. They do not want anyone getting hurt.

Authorities also say to use caution while using certain roads in the North Knoxville area near N. Broadway.

A press release from Knoxville police says Cedar Lane in North Knoxville will be closed up until Sunday afternoon. That will be between Rowan Road and Fennel Road for both directions of traffic.

The release also says Inskip Drive may be closed for several days, so authorities are asking for folks to find alternative routes before heading to work this coming week. That will be between Coster Road and Fennel Road for both directions of traffic.

Police say the rail cars derailed and ran into two different buildings. 

One of the two buildings is Gerdau, a steel distributor, off of Coster Road in North Knoxville. 

The call came in at 10:05 p.m. Saturday. 

Previous | Oct 21, 10:30 p.m.: Knox County dispatch confirms Knoxville Police Department is on the scene of a train derailment in North Knoxville Saturday evening.

The call came in shortly after 10 p.m. Knoxville Fire and Police Departments are on the scene.

Knox County dispatch says the train is with Norfolk Southern.

One of the two buildings is Gerdau, a steel distributor, off of Coster Road in North Knoxville. 

Police say at least 50 rail cars had gone off the track.

There were no injuries. Norfolk Southern is aware of the situation and looking into it.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/3747866-freight-train-derail...

Freight Train Derails, Catches On Fire In North Philadelphia

October 18 2017

Part of a freight train derailed in North Philadelphia Wednesday morning and briefly caught fire.

Trains were carrying garbage. No reports of injuries

[Starr DiGiacomo]

https://www.thelocal.se/20171012/freight-train-derails-and-catches-...

Freight train derails and catches fire in central Sweden

A train carrying dangerous goods derailed and caught fire in central Sweden early on Thursday morning.

The 36-carriage train derailed by the station in Ludvika, Dalarna, bringing train traffic to a stop as ten of its carriages covered lay over five tracks.

"It's a long freight train and one of the carriages was on fire, with ten-metre high flames. The fire seems to have extinguished itself," Peter Persson, a local police officer who was on duty at the time, told TT.

"It will take a long time to clean up, according to the information I have. There is no other effect on traffic in the area," Persson said.

The alarm was raised shortly before 2.30 am, and it is still unclear what caused the derailment.

The train driver was not injured and has spoken to police, though he is not suspected of any wrongdoing. He told police that the train "bounced" and that it was a light on board the train which caught fire.

For the moment, there is no sign that any of the dangerous goods leaked from the train.

The accident has caused disruption to traffic between Borlänge and Hallsberg, Borlänge and Kil, and Västerås and Ludvika in both directions, according to the Swedish Transport Administration. There is no information regarding when traffic in the area will return to normal.

"Contact lines have been damaged and there's a derailment, so it could take a long time. I don't have a specific forecast, but it's a matter of days and maybe weeks," said Per Aronsson from the Transport Administration.

Trains have been replaced by buses on the affected routes.