Don’t expect any quick and definitive answers on what caused that CSX train derailment in downtown Lynchburg yesterday. National Transportation Safety Board lead investigator Jim Southworth says the on-site investigation is only the first step. Southworth says a final determination and report may not be produced for 6 to 18 months. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more.
State officials are still trying to figure out the environmental impact from the three oil-carrying tanker cars that fell into the James River. It’s unclear how much of the leaking oil burned and how much is headed downriver.
CSX Railroad says it has removed all the train cars that did not derail, and crews are working re-rail the remaining tanker cars. The train was hauling 105 tankers in all from Chicago to Yorktown, where CSX has an oil terminal.
