CSX Train Derails Near Howard Street Tunnel

Baltimore, MD — Emergency personnel said that 13 CSX freight train cars derailed Monday morning in the Howard Street tunnel area.

One car that derailed contained acetone, which is a potentially flammable substance, but it did not leak, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

The derailment occurred at 5:45 a.m. and after 11 p.m., fire officials said that the acetone-containing car had been uprighted, and crews were working to get it on the tracks and out of the tunnel; authorities also said all cars that had not derailed had been moved away from the scene.

The 124-car train was bound for Cumberland after heading out from Philadelphia, the Baltimore City Fire Department reported. The train consisted of 106 empty cars and 18 loaded cars.

The FBI was called in to investigate and by 12:45 p.m. had ruled out foul play, according to city fire officials.

After the Monday morning derailment, road closures and service disruptions went into effect.

Light rail service was suspended Monday evening from 10 p.m. to midnight between Camden Yards and the North Avenue station as a result of the derailment, according to the Maryland Transit Administration.

Road closures were as follows, per the Baltimore City Department of Transportation:

Southbound Full Closure of Howard Street at North Avenue

• Detours in both directions (southbound left-turn allowed)
• East: Maryland Avenue
• West: Mount Royal Avenue
• Northbound Full Closure of Howard Street at Park Avenue

Lane closures beginning on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will encourage drivers to use Read Street to Chase Street to Biddle Street.

• Detour routes also include Howard Street to Dolphin Street to Eutaw Place and Howard Street to Park Avenue.
• Northbound Cathedral Street closed at Biddle Street.
• Cathedral Street in both directions will be closed between Preston Street and Mount Royal Avenue.

Amtrak and MARC trains were operating on schedule.

Photo Credit: Baltimore City Fire Department.

#Baltimore #CSX train derailment is contained. No threat to public. No leaks. No injuries. @BaltimoreFire @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/SIJ2G7fyFs
— Erick Ferris (@erick_ferris) June 13, 2016

Statement from the Maryland Transit Administration on Monday, June 13:

"Metro passengers that connect to Light Rail, please be advised that due to the CSX Train derailment at the Howard Street tunnel near the MTA Light Rail’s Mount Royal station, Light Rail service will be suspended between the Camden Yards and North Avenue stations from 10 p.m. tonight until the end of regular service at midnight. A bus bridge will be established from 10 p.m. until midnight between Camden Yards and North Avenue station. Light Rail passengers may experience delays. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciate your patience during this time."