Train Derails In Arlington
Updated at 4:47 p.m. 2/17/2012
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - A cargo train derailed in central Arlington Friday afternoon, cutting the city in two for much of the day.
The train jumped the tracks at 501. E. Main Street, not far from City Hall. The location is between Division and Abram on the north and south sides, and Collins and Mesquite on the east and west.
No injuries were reported, but traffic in the area was backed up while crews worked to open nearby crossings.
Lt. Darrel Whitfield of the Arlington Fire Department said that 6 cars of the mile-long train derailed at 12:44 p.m.
The train is operated by Union Pacific Railroad. Spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza confirmed that six cars derailed.
A hazardous materials team from the Arlington Fire Department was called to the scene as precaution. The fire department said the train did have hazardous materials on it, but none of the cars carrying involved contained anything hazardous.
Union Pacific and Arlington Fire officials both said the hazardous material cars were far from the derailment site, so there were no evacuations necessary.
Espinoza said four of the cars were carrying corn syrup, and the other two were carrying box cars.
Popular bar and restaurant J. Gilligan's is just a few blocks from the derailment. Randy Ford, who works there, saw the wreck. Here's what he told KRLD:
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Greg Bell works nearby. He told KRLD that he heard the crash from his office:
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A spokesperson at the University of Texas at Arlington confirmed to CBS 11 News that the accident is not affecting the campus.
Minutes after the crash, a supervisor at the nearby Arlington Central Library also confirmed that the derailment has not affected their business. She said people are coming and going as usual. The library is located at 101 E. Abram, about six blocks from the site of the derailed cars.
Arlington Fire Department officials worked to open traffic across the city, including at Stadium Drive, West Street, Davis Street Fielder Road and Bowen Road.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
