No one was injured, and there was no fire, according to emergency officials.
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But two of the derailed cars contained ethanol that leaked.
According to Time Warner Cable news, 45 homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution and other neighbors have been told to stay inside their homes.
A derailed tanker containing propane is intact.
Hazmat crews were still working to contain ethanol leaking from a tanker on Wednesday morning just outside Ripley, which is 60 miles southwest of Buffalo.
Norfolk Southern spokesman Dave Pidgeon says they may be there for a couple weeks or even months.
A train derailment in Western New York served as a reminder to local emergency crews of what could possibly happen in the Capital Region. Three of the cars carrying hazardous liquids fell on their sides, one of which is leaking ethanol, the governor said. Amtrak said the eastbound Lake Shore Limited is being stopped Wednesday at Cleveland while the westbound train is being halted at Buffalo.
Numerous evacuated homeowners are staying at a church shelter.
Cuomo said the main CSX line was open at reduced speeds. But two of the derailed cars contained ethanol that leaked.
He added that crews were working to transfer the ethanol off of the affected train cars and remove it from the scene. Gov. Andrew Cuomo had earlier said the accident occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan will be providing a further update Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.at the Ripley Fire Hall, 15 S. State St.in Ripley.
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Ripley is on the Pennsylvania border in western Chautauqua County, on Lake Erie.
