Train Derails in South Bend

June 10, 2004

A train derailment in South Bend is to blame for some traffic delays.

Several tanker cars containing chemicals derailed near Jefferson and Greenlawn around 3 AM. Officials say no one was hurt and no dangerous chemicals were spilled.

Officials with Canadian National Railway Company say eight cars derailed and that the derailment could have been caused by some bad track.

Currently the Greenlawn railroad crossing near Jefferson is closed.

A re-railment team is working to upright cars there.

"The most important thing, whenever there is a derailment, is that the community is safe. There were no hazardous material leaks. There were no injuries to employees or to anyone else," said Greg Mack with the South Bend Fire Hazmat Team.

Train derailments are rare for Canadian National. Forty of their freights pass through South Bend on the main line everyday and officials say they can't remember the last time one derailed here.

Canadian National officials say the mess should all be cleaned up by 6 PM.

http://www.wndu.com/news/062004/news_35676.php