Martin assures everyone that the single freight car that jumped the track in the relatively short train was actually empty and it did not even tip over, it merely jumped the track, derailing. No other cars were impacted by the incident and no injuries were reported.
CSX Trainmaster Blair Johnson called in a subcontractor with a crane to lift the car long enough to remove damaged wheel assemblies and replace them, and the front end of the train was disengaged and continued on its way southbound.
The slow-moving train was only traveling about 4MPH when it was ground to a halt by the accident. Several cars were left on the tracks after the rest of the train cleared shortly after noon, and it is hoped that they will be retrieved shortly to clear the way for other trains passing through.
The derailed car caused some headaches for Cook Plant refueling crews who use that route rather extensively, and the early morning Pere Marquette Amtrak service from Grand Rapids to Chicago was forced to bus passengers the rest of the way to their destination because of the incident.
Chief Martin says he wants to assure everybody that no cargo was damaged and no chemicals or other liquids in tankers connected to the train were impacted at all.
(Photos courtesy of Baroda-Lake Township Police)
