Freight train partially derails Friday morning on south side of Springfield

A Norfolk Southern Railway freight train partially derailed Friday morning on the south side of Springfield, losing six cars and delaying the arrival of an Amtrak train on the way to the city.

Chatham Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Osborne said the southbound freight train was turning off a rail spur near Lawndale Avenue to go west about 8 a.m.

“The spur broke which caused the train to derail and lose some freight cars at the Lawndale Avenue track and it continued further to the southwest where cars were derailed, too,” Osborne said.

Springfield and Chatham firefighters were dispatched to the scene east of Scheels. No injuries were reported.

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The Amtrak train, traveling north on the Union Pacific railroad line, hit a wheel from one of the derailed freight cars, Osborne said. The Amtrak train suffered damage to the front and shut down.

Osborne said 61 passengers were on the Amtrak train.

Amtrak workers were eventually able to restart the train engine and continue into Springfield.

Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies were also present at the scene and concluded that the accident was no threat to vehicle traffic, police said.

Norfolk Southern Railway spokesman Connor Spielmaker said the company was grateful that the firefighters and police were so quick to the scene. He said the company was working to get the tracks cleared Friday afternoon.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Freight train partially derails on south side of Springfield IL