NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. — Amtrak service to parts of Virginia has been canceled after a CSX freight train carrying coal derailed in rural New Kent County on Saturday afternoon, according to officials.
At least 15 cars carrying coal as well as two locomotives derailed into the wetlands around 3:10 p.m. between Roxbury and South Mountcastle roads, officials with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office posted.
Local News
However, a source told Jon Burkett that it may be closer to 30 cars that derailed in the incident. A bridge was also “taken out” in the crash, according to those sources.
As a result, there has been no word on how long the CSX and Amtrak trains that use those tracks, which continue through James City County and then Williamsburg before ending at the coal piers in Newport News, will be impacted.
No one was injured when the train went off the tracks, officials said.
The derailment caused Amtrak trains 65, 99 and 124, which have service between Newport News and Richmond, to be canceled until further notice.
“Alternate bus transportation is being sourced,” Amtrak posted at 4:50 p.m. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Updates to come!”
Other Amtrak trains to Norfolk and points south have not been impacted.
Itinerary Change^Due to a freight train incident blocking the tracks, Train 124 is canceled between Newport News (NPN) and Richmond (RVR) . Alternate bus transportation is being sourced. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Updates to come!
In addition to the Amtrak delays, Barnetts Road in Charles City County is closed to drivers.
“Residents are urged to avoid the area and allow emergency crews and railroad officials to safely conduct recovery operations,” deputies said.
Officials with CSX said there were no hazardous materials on the cars that derailed and that there was “no danger to the surrounding community.”
“We appreciate the swift response of local first responders,” CSX officials said. “Safety will be our highest priority as our teams work to secure the site, recover the equipment and product, and completely restore the area.”
Officials with the railroad company said the cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Fire crews from Charles City, James City and New Kent, as well as deputies with the Charles City County and New Kent County sheriff’s offices, responded to the scene.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube
Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.
Entertainment
