Several cars remain overturned after a CSX freight train derailed in Washington on Sunday, May 1, 2016. near a Metro stop in Washington, D.C. The Capitol is seen in the background.
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Earlier, the fire department said three cars were leaking an unidentified substance or substances but there was no fire. CSX officials said the derailment involved three locomotives, 175 total cars, including 94 carrying mixed freight and 81 empty cars. Transit officials said in a statement that passengers should expect the limited trains MARC is running to be very crowded.
CSX Train Derailment in D.C..
Sodium hydroxide is a chemical used in household products such as soap and detergents.
A third vehicle was slowly leaking ethanol from the base of a valve, CSX said.
News4’s Mark Segraves reported multiple sources at the scene said at least one of the chemicals is sodium hydroxide.
But the Rhode Island Metro Station and Rhode Island Avenue, and other nearby streets were shut down so that emergency officials could access the site, and to make sure there was no danger from the spill. While they are making progress in clearing the site, it has been causing delays for some passenger rail lines such as Metro and MARC.
CSX updated the number Monday following an assessment of the site.
“CSX is completing this work in compliance with all applicable federal and local regulations, and we appreciate the continued support of D.C. firefighters and police officers in responding to this incident and taking steps to ensure the public’s safety throughout”, said Mr. Doolittle, the company spokesman.
CSX said about 750 gallons of sodium hydroxide were spilled as a result of the derailment.
CSX says it is preparing to clean up the derailment site, which will involve replacing soil and laying new track.
“At this point all of the air monitoring has been good”, Donnelly said.
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Metro service on the Red Line has been suspended between NoMa and Brookland stations. MARC Train anticipates major service disruptions for Brunswick Line service on Monday. That leak has also been plugged, the company said. MARC says the trains won’t run past Silver Spring and are urging commuters to consider alternatives.
