A train carrying chemicals derailed around 4:15 Thursday afternoon in Salem, Ill.
The incident occurred on the Canadian National railroad line northeast of a grain elevator on Tonti Road. It appears the train was carrying about 60 cars; around 20 cars derailed, including two chemical cars.
The Marion County Sheriff's Department says the train was reportedly carrying some type of acid, which has leaked out of the cars. There are no reports of injuries. It is not known what caused the derailment.
Traffic on I-57 is shut down in both directions as a result of the derailment.
The train derailment occurred in a rural area about three miles northwest of the city center, but residents within a half-mile radius of the site have been evacuated as a precaution.
The track also serves Amtrak's City of New Orleans train route, which runs from Chicago to New Orleans. An Amtrak spokesperson says the company is working on a contingency plan for affected passengers.
A call to Canadian National was not immediately returned.
Salem, a town of about 7,500, is 87 miles east of St. Louis.
Our hazmat (Mt. Vernon) just got called at 6 for it. They just left a few minutes ago. I was in class so I didn't hear the full story, but its rumored to be sulfuric acid. Apparantly a couple dry bulk containers ruptured too.
ISP is gonna be thrilled closing the interstate again. We had it closed for 3 hours this morning 15 miles from there!
DJ
The incident occurred on the Canadian National railroad line northeast of a grain elevator on Tonti Road. It appears the train was carrying about 60 cars; around 20 cars derailed, including two chemical cars.
The Marion County Sheriff's Department says the train was reportedly carrying some type of acid, which has leaked out of the cars. There are no reports of injuries. It is not known what caused the derailment.
Traffic on I-57 is shut down in both directions as a result of the derailment.
The train derailment occurred in a rural area about three miles northwest of the city center, but residents within a half-mile radius of the site have been evacuated as a precaution.
The track also serves Amtrak's City of New Orleans train route, which runs from Chicago to New Orleans. An Amtrak spokesperson says the company is working on a contingency plan for affected passengers.
A call to Canadian National was not immediately returned.
Salem, a town of about 7,500, is 87 miles east of St. Louis.
Our hazmat (Mt. Vernon) just got called at 6 for it. They just left a few minutes ago. I was in class so I didn't hear the full story, but its rumored to be sulfuric acid. Apparantly a couple dry bulk containers ruptured too.
ISP is gonna be thrilled closing the interstate again. We had it closed for 3 hours this morning 15 miles from there!
DJ
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