UPDATE: State Police Release Details On Derailed Freight Train Locomotive In Newburgh

NEWBURGH, NY — State Police released more information on the derailment Tuesday of CSX freight train near the New Windsor/Newburgh border.

Police said, around 3:11 p.m. Tuesday, the train struck a 135-foot articulating boom lift while traveling southbound on the CSX Hudson Line.

The train consisted of three locomotives and 77 railcars.

The operator of the boom lift was approaching a private crossing when it became disabled on the tracks, police said.

Fortunately, the operator was able to get off the lift before the train struck it.

The lead locomotive continued moving south before it came to rest on River Road.

As the railcars left the tracks, rail-operated track maintenance machines were struck, resulting in injuries to the two operators.

Three locomotives and 14 of the railcars derailed.

CSX said that approximately 4,660 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the ruptured locomotive fuel tanks. No other tanks or cars were compromised or leaks, and no loss of product occurred.

Police said the scene was stabilized and recovery operations commenced.

Both of the maintenance machine operators, as well as the locomotive conductor and engineer, were treated at St. Luke’s Hospital.

One of the operators was admitted for further treatment; the others were treated and released.

CSX estimated the rail line will be opened by Thursday evening and the wreckage removed over the next couple of days.

Original story, March 8, 2016, 10:43 a.m.:

NEWBURGH, NY — Crews are still working to remove the lead locomotive of a CSX train that derailed near the Newburgh/New Windsor border Tuesday afternoon.

Traffic on Water Street, where the locomotive came to rest across both lanes, is still being diverted, causing heavy early morning rush hour traffic on Route 9W, the recordonline.com said.

The train, which had three locomotives and 77 freight cars, was going to Georgia from upstate New York, News 12 said, and it was carrying sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, both hazardous materials.

A spokesman for CSX told recordonline.com that none of the hazardous materials leaked.

The preliminary investigation said the train hit a telescopic boom whip resulting in the derailing. Two CSX crew members were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, said the derailment is part of a disturbing pattern of accidents involving hazardous-material-carrying freight trains that go through densely populated areas.

“We must build on the progress we have made to improve rail safety and decrease risks to our communities,” she said.

For more go to recordonline.com and News 12.

Image via Shutterstock.