NTSB releases initial report on July 18 train derailment in Illinois

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report on a July 18 Norfolk Southern Railway derailment, collision and hazardous materials release near Browns, Illinois.

According to the report, an eastbound NS mixed freight train passed over a spring switch and derailed 24 rail cars, over half the train's length, which subsequently collided with a stationary westbound mixed-freight train in the NS Midwest Division, Southern West District near Browns, Illinois.

The eastbound train was the first to pass over the spring switch after maintenance had been conducted about 40 minutes prior, NTSB officials said.

Among the eastbound train's derailed cars were two tank cars with molten sulfur that were breached and released product, and one tank car with denatured fuel ethanol, which released about 15 gallons of product.

The westbound train was stationary on a siding adjacent to the switch. The train's engineer sustained a leg injury and was treated at a local hospital, and an engineer trainee was airlifted to a trauma center after molten sulfur splashed onto him.

The NTSB investigation will focus on testing and maintenance protocols of spring switches and a review of interdepartmental collaboration and communication between NS's signals and communications and maintenance of way departments.