Freight train derailment in Ayer, Massachusetts leaves 9 cars toppled
AYER – A freight train derailed in Ayer on Thursday morning, leaving traffic delays on the roads and on the tracks.
Ayer train derailment
It happened at around 9 a.m. in the area of Groton-Harvard Road. Video from the scene showed nine train cars off the track and toppled onto their sides.
According to the Ayer Fire Department, the cars were unloaded lumber cars. The Ayer Police Department said the train derailed in the railyard, leaving cars unable to cross the train tracks in the area.
"You see railroad trains knocked over, it's interesting, they're not supposed to be," said Ayer resident Jeff Greco.
Representatives from the railroad told the fire department that the grade crossing at Groton-Harvard Road was impacted and impassable for a period of about an hour.
The remainder of cars in the railyard will take "an extended period" to be removed. Work is expected to begin late Thursday afternoon once the proper equipment arrives from Albany, New York.
"It's concerning, I just hope it's never holding anything toxic," said Greco. "The train tracks go right behind the house, about 100 feet from the house."
Commuter Rail delays
Several Fitchburg Line Commuter Rail trains were delayed because of the disabled freight train. After a short time, the Commuter Rail said trains were able to get around the derailment.
"The good thing here is there was no hazardous materials, no diesel fuel or any hazardous materials involved on the train and the cars were empty and nobody was injured," said Ayer Fire Chief Timothy Johnston.
Past Ayer train derailments
In March 2023, a train derailed about a quarter-mile away from the site of Thursday's incident. That derailment happened in the area of Sculley Road. Crews spent several days cleaning up after that derailment. Five rail cars carrying 10 containers went off the tracks during the 2023 incident.
No one was hurt during that derailment, which involved a train owned by CSX.
"I think it's raised a little concern, maybe the railroad needs to take a look at some of the tracks, perhaps, since they've had two in over a year and a half," said Johnston. "Maybe it's something they should take a little better look at."
One neighbor who lived in the area at the time said that was the third derailment he remembered in about 50 years.