Freight train derails near Sandusky

SANDUSKY — A westbound Norfolk Southern freight train derailed west of Sandusky Wednesday afternoon, sending 12 of its 108 cars off the tracks along a stretch that runs parallel between Barrett Road and Sandusky Bay.

Railroad spokesman Dave Pidgeon said 11 of the derailed cars were empty; one upended car was carrying sand that spilled.

No hazardous materials were involved and no one was injured, he said. The incident occurred at 3:30 p.m.

The train, pulled by four locomotives, had left Conway, Pa., en route to Elkhart, Ind.

Both sets of tracks were closed because of the derailment, which affected freight and Amtrak passenger trains, he said.

The cause of the derailment was not immediately unknown.

The line was expected to reopen early Thursday morning, Mr. Pidgeon said.