A CSX freight train crossing the Winchester and Potomac Railroad bridge near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, derailed Saturday morning, sending empty grain cars into the Potomac River. The derailment site can be seen from downtown Harpers Ferry. CSX confirmed in an email message to WTOP that the derailment happened about about 2:30 a.m., no one was hurt and no hazardous materials were on board.
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Due to the bridge’s unique location, police and fire departments from West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and the National Park Service responded to the incident. The train was heading east, carrying cargo across the Potomac between Harpers Ferry and Washington County in Maryland. The locomotive itself did not derail, but seven empty cargo cars did. Two wound up in the river. In its message, the freight rail operator noted: “CSX will work swiftly and safely in the cleanup and to restore the area.” The cause of the derailment is being investigated while crews work to move the toppled cars. Bryan Tucker of CSX told WTOP that all cars, including the two that were in the Potomac, were recovered by 7 p.m. on Saturday. The train was rerailed at 9 p.m. and then moved to Brunswick, Maryland, on Sunday morning. CSX in a statement said no structural damage to the bridge or tracks were sustained and traffic was expected to resume on Sunday. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. The National Park Service in Harpers Ferry reports that the walking path across the Potomac, which is part of the bridge, will be closed indefinitely due to the damage, as well as access to an outlook in the park known as The Point. John Brown’s Fort is also closed due to safety concerns.
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That path across the river, known as the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge is part of the well-known, and well-walked Appalachian Trail, so hikers seeking transport across the river will have to request a shuttle until the bridge is repaired. WTOP’s news partner NBC Washington first reported on the derailment. [google_map latitude=”39.323631″ longitude=”-77.728691″ zoom=”13″ height=”300px” location_label=”” dynamic_map=”false”]
