CSX is investigating the derailment in New Kent on Saturday that sent 53 coal cars off the tracks into wetlands, causing major damage to the track and disruptions to rail services down the Virginia Peninsula.
No one was injured, according to CSX. The company is working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to address diesel fuel and coal that spilled in the area, including in some wetlands.
CSX said two locomotives and 53 cars carrying coal derailed around 3.30 p.m. Saturday between Roxbury Road and South Mountcastle Road in the Providence Forge area of New Kent County.
CSX said crews worked throughout Sunday to recover the locomotives and cars, closing the line to passenger and freight services. The derailment resulted in Amtrak canceling trains to and from Newport News through Monday, and arranged buses for travelers at the Newport News station.
It was not clear Monday afternoon when full Amtrak service will resume. A company spokesman said that trains running between Newport News and Richmond, including Williamsburg, will not operate their full regular routes Tuesday.
No other Amtrak routes in Hampton Roads were affected.
Images released by the New Kent Sheriff’s Office showed twisted rails, a badly damaged railroad bridge and a large pile of coal along the railroad.
“We appreciate the swift response of local first responders,” CSX stated in a media release. “Safety has been our top priority as crews worked through the night, rerailing and removing nine of the cars involved. Our efforts are now focused on recovering the remaining equipment and product, repairing our infrastructure, and completely restoring the area.”
The New Kent Sheriff’s Office said emergency personnel from the New Kent Fire Department, James City Fire Department, CSX Police, Charles City Fire Department, Charles City Sheriff’s Office, and the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office managed the incident at the scene.
The derailment resulted in the temporary closure of Barnetts Road in Charles City County. Residents were urged to avoid the area to allow emergency crews and railroad officials to conduct recovery operations.