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New Brighton Train Derailment ER

 
Site Contact:
Marjorie Easton
On-Scene Coordinator

(easton.marjorie@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Railroad Milepost PC 29 Beaver River
New Brighton, PA 15066
 epaosc.org/New_Brighton_Train_Derailment_ER

At approximately 2045 hours, on Friday, October 20, 2006, a freight train derailed off a railroad trestle in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. The train contained 86 cars of ethanol, of which 24 cars either derailed, were damaged, or were leaking. Several rail cars fell into the Beaver River. A fire began at the scene and emergency crews evacuated approximately 100 people from their homes. It was determined that the safest option would be to allow the fire to burn itself out before removal of rail cars would occur. Air and surface water monitoring and sampling were being conducted.


Rail cars on fire Train Derailment from across Beaver River Train Derailment (from across Beaver River) Train derailment from across Beaver River. Train derailment Train derailment accident scene. One of the two remaining rail cars that are on fire Press Conference Damaged rail cars that have been removed from the accident scene. damaged rail cars which have been removed from the accident scene damaged rail cars which have been removed from the accident scene. Note product on ground. Air sampling being conducted from across Beaver River. Train Derailment from across Beaver River. Most damaged cars have been removed from accident scene. Train derailment accident scene. Removing the last rail car from the railroad trestle. Last 2 rail cars which have not been removed from the accident scene. Big Rock Park approximately 2 and a half months after ER. Damaged rail cars had been previously staged in this area. Contractor re-surfacing concrete wall Erosion control measures on effected railroad bank. A collection sump is located within the orange banner fence. Sump pump and drainage pipes located in the subsurface collection sump. French drain system located at edge of rock wall. Big Rock Park approximately 2 and a half months after ER. Damaged rail cars had been previously staged in this area. Damaged Site from across the Beaver River. Site from across the Beaver River.
For additional information, visit the Pollution Report (POLREPS) section.