Spanberger, community leaders raise more awareness after Fredericksburg freight train derailment

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Officials in Fredericksburg continue to push for more accountability after a freight train derailment destroyed property several weeks ago.

Five rail cars from a CSX freight train crashed into a sound barrier and onto garages in late July because they were improperly tied down, according to a CSX official.

The rail company said the rail cars moved forward and reached a split-rail device, which forced them to derail off the track. The purpose of the derail device is to prevent rail cars from entering the main line.

No one was injured but the incident served as a warning for leaders, including Vice Mayor Chuck Frye.

“We didn't hear about any fatalities, but it's just as serious as if it was a fatality to us,” Frye said.

“This recent incident has really unnerved the community in a way we haven't seen in a while,” Fredericksburg City Manager Timothy Baroody added. 

Community members and U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger gathered on Wednesday at the site near the tracks where the incident occurred. Spanberger sent a letter to CSX last month to demand answers.

After seeing the site and rail yard, Spanberger said she wants to work with CSX to determine how many derail devices are located near homes, where she believes could be a risky area.

“There are many places where 20 years ago, there weren't housing developments and now that there are, the reality is if there are other places along the line that we could see derailment devices,” Spanberger said.

The five rail cars that derailed may not have contained hazardous material, but the other eight carried molten sulfur, a flammable substance that could release toxic gases.

The proximity of hazardous materials stored in the city has been an ongoing issue for residents.

“As long as they stay in the container, we're good,” Fire Chief Mike Jones told WUSA9. “It's when it gets out of the container that causes us problems.”

CSX promised to conduct more training and move the derail devices away from the nearby residential neighborhood.

It also vows to reimburse property loss and pay the amount to rebuild the sound barrier.

CSX has been asked to attend the next city council meeting on Aug. 27 to provide an update.