MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
Norfolk Southern personnel and contractors Saturday morning finished clearing and securing eight rail cars that derailed off a train passing through Shawsville on Friday.
The cause of the derailment, which occurred at about 10:45 a.m. Friday, continues to be investigated by Norfolk Southern.
A statement from Norfolk Southern said railroad and contract crews worked through Friday night on cleanup and recovery efforts to restore train operations to full service, as well as return normalcy to residents who live near the tracks where the derailment occurred.
Officials said the recovery crews deployed cranes, side booms, excavators, loaders and eight semitrucks to rerail or clear the derailed cars and debris from the tracks.
Five of the eight rail cars can be repaired and reused, while three were damaged beyond repair and will be cut up for scrap on-site over the coming weeks, according to Norfolk Southern.
Officials said the eight cars that derailed were part of a westbound mixed-freight train en route from Crewe, Virginia, to Bellevue, Ohio.
Norfolk Southern operates double-mainline tracks through Shawsville. Officials said the railroad was able to operate trains on one of the mainlines during the cleanup and expects to restore full train service to both mainlines early Saturday afternoon.
"Norfolk Southern appreciates the assistance provided by local first responders and apologizes to the community for inconveniences caused by this incident," Norfolk Southern said in the statement.
Officials said there were no injuries and no release of hazardous materials.
UPDATE
Authorities expect it to take at least 12 hours to clean up after a train derailment in Montgomery County.
The derailment involved eight railcars, all of which were empty, and officials say the train was stopped due to a mechanical failure. The train reportedly derailed when it started to move again.
No injuries have been reported.
UPDATE
Emergency crews are on the scene of a train derailment in Montgomery County, according to Jennifer Harris, the county's public information director.
Officials say five railcars were derailed at the intersection of Oldtown Road in Shawsville around 11 a.m. Friday. There have been no injuries reported.
BREAKING: A train has derailed in Shawsville. Check this thread for more details later. pic.twitter.com/EvVyV0GWOg
— Taj Simmons (@TajBSimmons) June 7, 2019
Railcars were empty at the time of the derailment, but officials say a HAZMAT team is on the way to evaluate the scene.
Authorities say Oldtown Road will be reopened once the HAZMAT scene has completed their evaluation.
ORIGINAL STORY
Emergency crews are responding to a train derailment in Montgomery County on Friday morning.
It happened close to the Dollar General in Shawsville.
The Elliston Fire Department and Montgomery County deputies are on the scene.
This is a developing story. 10 News has a crew on the way to learn more.