Chief Michael Jones of the Fredericksburg Fire Department stood with Spanberger and described the derailment. “The cars were loaded down, and it was a low spot where the derailment was,” he said, pointing out the area. “It can be a problem,” he said, but our priority is to save lives.”

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Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) will visit the site of a recent train derailment in Fredericksburg on August 14, 2024. The visit will occur from 8 to 9 a.m. at the VRE parking lot, specifically at the gravel lot behind VRE parking lots G & H. The entrance to the lot is located at the corner of Prince Edward and Frederick Street. Spanberger will then travel to the Railway Yard Gate at 1400 Railroad Avenue. Members of the Fredericksburg City Council are expected to attend.

A CSX train derailed on July 19, 2024, near Cobblestone Drive. Several rail cars derailed, damaging a garage adjacent to the Cobblestone Square apartment complex. No hazardous materials were involved, and no injuries were reported.

During a press conference, CSX representatives stated that the train crew’s whereabouts during the derailment were unknown. The train engine had been experiencing issues before the derailment, prompting the crew to park the Richmond-bound train next to Cobblestone Square. The crew’s failure to ensure that the train was securely parked is being scrutinized.

Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine expressed the concerns of Cobblestone Square residents, who are frustrated and nervous. Devine noted that while residents seek answers, quickly removing the derailed cars was a positive outcome. In a letter sent by City Manager Timothy Baroody to CSX, the city sought assurances that a similar incident would not occur.

The derailment has sparked discussions about its potential impact on future rail projects in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is working on expanding the state’s passenger rail network, with plans to purchase the Norfolk-Southern railroad’s B-line, which runs through Manassas. Mayor Devine acknowledged that the incident might prompt further discussions about the state acquiring additional track segments.

In addition, the Fredericksburg Metropolitan Area Planning Organization is educating residents about a significant project to expand rail capacity in Fredericksburg and Stafford County by adding a third railroad track. The project includes replacing several bridges, such as the Leeland Road Bridge, to accommodate the new track. This expansion will affect local traffic.

Ian Ollis, director of the Fredericksburg Metropolitan Area Planning Organization, explained that the project aims to replace a bridge over the rail line to accommodate the third track, which will extend from Union Station in Washington, D.C., down to the Fredericksburg region.

Fredericksburg Free Press: On Wednesday, a representative from CSX fielded questions from Fredericksburg city leaders and residents about the five-car train derailment that pierced a sound wall near the Cobblestone Apartments on Saturday night. Now, City Manager Tim Baroody is seeking more answers.

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The train that derailed on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Cobblestone Square, an apartment complex in Fredericksburg, had been experiencing mechanical issues, so the train was parked at the city’s Virginia Railway Express (commuter rail) station before moving to its final destination in Richmond. The two crew members on board did not secure the train cars properly, resulting in five cars derailing, said Randy Marcus, a CSX spokesman during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Marcus said the crew’s whereabouts at the time of the derailing are not known, and the company plans to have them complete additional training and education programs. No one was injured in the derailment.

Marcus apologized for the incident and thanked Fredericksburg officials for their quick response and cooperation. Marcus noted that CSX has been working with Cobblestone Square’s property management team and has a dedicated Claims representative gathering information from the owners of damaged property.

Fredericksburg emergency crews first notified CSX of the incident. The city received calls to its 911 dispatch center and immediately sent police and fire vehicles to the scene. 

Derail guards placed alongside the track worked correctly and stopped the cars from traveling further, said Marcus. He added that the sound wall, which was built by and is owned by Cobblestone Square Apartments, was too close to the derail guard. The apartment complex did not have a representative at the press conference.

The derailment damaged garages on the Cobblestone Square property. Marcus said the falling sound wall damaged the property, and that no rail cars struck the garages.

Marcus was unable to verify whether CSX is contacted when properties bordering train tracks are being developed but said CSX will be reviewing their rail lines to consider whether developed properties have any buildings, walls, or other features too close to the rails and derail guards.

Update July 23: City Council members will attend the CSX public statement on July 24. The event is at 3 p.m. in the gravel parking lot behind VRE Lots G and H. The entrance is at the corner of Prince Edward and Frederick Streets.

Mayor Kerry P. Devine addressed the recent train derailment behind Fredericksburg’s Cobblestone Square apartment complex, expressing concern for the community’s safety.

Mayor Devine commended the prompt response from local and mutual aid emergency services, noting no injuries were reported. The mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation, with city leadership actively coordinating with federal and state officials, as well as CSX Transportation. She said she and the City Council “expect an investigation into how this derailment occurred and will continue to work to ensure that our community remains safeguarded against future emergencies along our rail lines.”

Mayor Devine assured residents that the city would continue to provide updates and encouraged everyone to subscribe to emergency alerts.  Her full statement is available online. 

A public address by CSX Transportation is scheduled for July 24th at 3 p.m. at the VRE parking lot near the incident.