Mayor says no hazardous chemicals were released, tracks sustained substantial damage, cleanup and repair will take time…
An eastbound freight train “came to an unexpected stop” in downtown Springfield around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to city officials, and one hopper carrying wheat was compromised, “resulting in a significant spill.”
The partial derailment happened at the railroad tracks along the south edge of Buck Creek near Water Street and Spring Street, by the OS Kelly plant and Ebner Sons auto business. No injuries were reported.
A statement from Mayor Rob Rue said no hazardous chemicals were released, but the train hopper in question contained approximately 120 tons of wheat, and tons of the grain did enter the creek.
City officials said environmental responders and others were trying to contain the spill in the creek to prevent downstream impacts.
“Environmental crews are working to assess the impact,” Rue’s statement said. “While there is no immediate threat to public safety, grain spills of this nature can affect aquatic ecosystems by reducing oxygen levels and disrupting water flow. The EPA has been notified and is currently providing guidance on the situation.”
Around noon Wednesday, EPA officials said they determined there was no danger to fish or wildlife.
EPA public information officer Anthony Chenault said an estimated 4-5 tons of grain were released into the creek.
“With Ohio EPA oversight, railroad contractors are cleaning up the scene. Currently, there is no estimated timetable for completion,” Chenault said.
Crews worked on the partial train derailment Tuesday night, and by Wednesday morning, many of the train cars had been removed from the scene. The car that had spilled the grain remained flipped on its side.
Some repairs to the railroad line had already been made, and cleanup of the grain spill was continuing throughout the day Wednesday.
The portion of Water Street near Buck Creek (north of North Street) remained closed Wednesday. Spring, Limestone and other streets were unaffected because the tracks go beneath those roads via underpasses.
The spill happened almost three years to the day since 26 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Mad River Twp. on May 12, 2022. That 2022 derailment happened about a quarter-mile from Old Mill Road.
In March 2023, 28 cars of a 200-plus car train derailed in Springfield Twp., along Ohio41 near Gateway Boulevard Those cars were carrying non-hazardous materials and there was no spill.
In August 2024, there was a 10-car derailment from a train on the Indiana & Ohio Railway line near North Bechtle Avenue and Buck Creek. That derailment included two cars carrying sulfuric acid, but there were no leaks or injuries.
In Tuesday’s mess, Rue said some of the rail cars on the affected train were carrying hazardous materials, but that none of those cars were involved in the derailment. Photos posted on social media by passersby just after the incident showed much of the train still upright.
Rue said hazmat teams went to the scene to examine all cars to ensure safety “out of an abundance of caution.” He said the railroad line sustained substantial damage in the incident, and cleanup and repair operations were expected to take time.
“We appreciate the public’s patience and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” Rue said.
