AMSTERDAM, N.Y. — Thirteen cars of a CSX Transportation train derailed near Albany, N.Y., this morning, disrupting Amtrak service and leading to road closures.
WNYT-TV reports most of the cars, part of a 157-car train en route from Selkirk, N.Y., to Buffalo, were empty tank cars. Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith said there were no injuries and no leaks of car contents. The nearby State Route 5 is closed and could remain so until late Saturday or early Sunday.
Amtrak service west of Albany was suspended today. Among trains affected are the eastbound Lake Shore Limited that left Chicago today, which will terminate in Cleveland; the eastbound Lake Shore that departed Thursday, which terminated in Syracuse; the westbound Lake Shore Limited that departed today, cancelled between Albany and Syracuse, with alternate transportation provided; and Empire Service trains that serve Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Passengers should contact Amtrak or watch the passenger operator’s website and social media channels for updated information regarding Saturday operations.
That region of the country has experienced numerous periods of heavy rain. Would not surprise me if that might be involved. Also, 157 cars. These trains are too long. And why was the Lake Shore terminated in Cleveland? Why not run it at least as far as Depew? The train can easily be turned and serviced there as there are mechanical and servicing folks at Niagara Falls. Unload at Depew and have a Buffalo crew take it to Niagara Falls to be serviced. Detour over NS ?
Sorry, I didn’t add that an empty tankcar can be dangerous depending on its last load, but it would still have the appropriate placard and the conductor would have that information.
Just because a tank car is loaded doesn’t mean it is hazardous material in them.
I don’t see placards in the photo. A load of vegetable oil probably not going to burst into flames.
Parking the fire truck where it is they may have contacted the crew as they should have done already and have determined it is safe to be there.
Pleased to see Amtrak step up and provide alternative transportation .
with one exception Amtrak did not provide alternate travel and left everyone stranded.
This derailment occurred four to five cars down from the front of the train. The two engines pulling it were disconnected, and the only people on board, an engineer and conductor, were not injured.
The train tracks were damaged in the incident. Cleanup and repairs by CSX are under way.
Amtrak has been providing bus service to customers scheduled to travel through the affected area since Friday morning.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
It’s truly a miracle that the tank cars of that CSX train were empty.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
since tank cars are empty on their return trip please define miracle, your intelligence level is unbelievingly low
AI ?
It’s the second derailment in New York State this week. An investigation is ongoing.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
I do hope those tank cars are really empty seeing where the fire Eng. is parked. I am also a driver for a Vol. fire Dept. and would never park that close to a wreck of that size.