NS derailment at Ripley, NY 3/1/16

WGRZ reports a train that derailed 14 cars (including ethanol) approximately 9:45 PM EST last night. WGRZ
reports it's a Norfolk Southern train, although I'm skeptical about that. The map shown with their story appears to
be the northernmost ROW, which would belong to CSX. Keep in mind they say "both conductors were uninjured".

At any rate, it looks rather messy!

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/southern ... y/63993398" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fox News via Associated Press says "Spokesman for NS...." Looks like NS spill. A propane tank car was also derailed but they say its intact.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/03/02/tr ... cmp=hplnws" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Time Warner video gives some clues. It looks like much of it was shot from the South State Street crossing. It appears the CSX line is in the foreground in the initial shots.

http://www.twcnews.com/nys/jamestown/ne ... ipley.html

N 42 15' 54" W 79 42' 33"

From what I have read it affected Amtrak and Amtrak runs on CSX in this area.
Noel Weaver

The area around the derailment was evacuated for a time, so Amtrak #49 went to Niagara Falls, picked up passengers that were bused in from Cleveland and then went east as #48.

As of Noon today, people were still not allowed to return to their homes. I assume this was because of the tank car full of propane. So, wouldn't it seem likely that they would stop a passenger train for the same reason that nobody was allowed to return home?

Agreed, SST.

Residents were allowed to return to home last night. CSX reopened at least one track yesterday afternoon. NS 205 and 27R were detoured via CSX. Other NS trains, including 23K, were detoured via a D&H/Pittsburgh Line/Cleveland Line route.

Matt Langworthy wrote: Amtrak #49 went to Niagara Falls, picked up passengers that were bused in from Cleveland and then went east as #48.

any reason why 49 went to Niagara Falls instead of turn around in Frontier Yard. Didnt someone said that 48, which became 49 also waited for passengers from original 48 in Cleveland to hop on? or the buses were for 49 passengers only?

My FB source didn't say why Amtrak #49 went to Niagara Falls. Perhaps it went there because Amtrak has a small service facility for locomotives and can turn them if necessary.


P.S. The same source referenced passengers coming from Cleveland to Niagara Falls by bus. He made no mention of passengers traveling by bus from the Falls to Cleveland, although I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

Minor correction: Amtrak #49 went to Niagara Falls, but the passengers from Cleveland boarded in Buffalo.

Amtrak does have servicing available at NiaFalls, and all terminating Amtrak trains to the Falls turn on the Tuscarora Wye (CP-21/CP-69/CP-22), usually on the way in. Generally speaking, passenger trains are no longer allowed through Frontier due to liability issues although years ago we did it when absolutely necessary, usually with a yard pilot on board. It was a PIA move as all switches had to be lined in advance and most everything stopped on the south side, tying up the yard for a good half hour, at least. Nowadays the tracks would have to be inspected first, all switches spiked, and definitely a pilot on board at a minimum.

I once turned 49 in a similar circumstance via the Belt Line instead of NiaFalls due to RRailers on the rear end (can't back up). Busing passengers to Depew instead of NiaFalls is normal operation for this too - no sense in driving all the way up there when the dispatcher can hold the train at Exchange Street (off the mainline) until the buses are close to Depew. Been there, done that.

What was the cause of this derailment?