Freight Train Derails In Elgin
ELGIN, Ill. (STMW) - A freight train reportedly carrying hazardous materials derailed Sunday afternoon in northwest suburban Elgin, causing street closures and Metra delays.
Eight cars derailed just before 2 p.m. on Metra's Milwaukee District West line -- a Canadian Pacific Railroad line -- at Raymond Street and Purify Drive near the entrance to the Fox River Water Reclamation District plant.
Emergency personnel received two calls reporting the westbound Canadian Pacific train had derailed, according to an Elgin police release. Responding personnel found the cars off the track and in a nearby ditch, the release said.
Canadian Pacific spokesman Jeff Johnson said seven of the cars were carrying coils and the other cornstarch.
The 71-car train was carrying some hazardous materials, but none of those cars derailed, authorities said. Johnson said there were no potentially dangerous commodities involved in the incident, and would only speak about derailed cars.
Police said nobody was injured, and Johnson said there is no public safety concern.
Elgin police closed Raymond Street between Bluff City Boulevard and Kenyon Road and St. Charles Street from Elgin Avenue to Kenyon Road.
Canadian Pacific officials are on the scene investigating Sunday night, Johnson said. A cause will not be released until the investigation is complete. Metra officials are overseeing the cleanup overnight, police said.
The derailment happened near the Metra Milwaukee District West Line's Bartlett station and will impact Metra trains, according to Metra's website.
Metra trains will only operate between Chicago and Bartlett, and buses will shuttle passengers between Bartlett and Elgin, Metra said. It was not immediately known when normal service would be restored.
Once the derailed cars were out of the way, crews were to replace the damaged track, Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said.
"We will work through the night, but we don't know about tomorrow's rush [commuting times or schedules]," Reile said.
She encouraged riders to check TV and radio reports in the morning to find out what the schedule might be. Riders also can sign up on the Metrarail.com website for service updates.
"A MyMetra account can get notices to e-mail or cell phones for status of their services," Reile said. "We do offer updates for select line and individual stations."
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