In a statement to media, a CSX representative confirmed that several cars of a train of 91 loaded and 76 empty cars derailed about 7 a.m. Saturday, May 19.
The location of the derailment, in Alexandria, is a former Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac route that passes over NS’s former Southern and Chesapeake & Ohio line which leads into NS’s Seminary Yard just to the east. Amtrak and VRE use both lines that run south of Washington.
The Washington Post quotes National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt as saying that the train was moving about 30 mph well below the 50-mph limit for the area.
The Post also reports that CSX crew members told the NTSB that the ground underneath the train felt spongy as they approached the overpass.
