NORTH BAY — An ONR train derailment early this morning left rail cars hanging from trees off Highway 63, and caused police to close the highway for a time.
The road has now been re-opened.
Three homes were evacuated as police feared the rail cars might roll down the hill and onto the house. A couple of cars are just feet from a house and Malcolm Small Engines business.
The accident occurred about 30-40 metres from the road. The rail cars came off tracks on a the rail line running parallel with Highway 63 between Silver Lady Lane and Peninsula Road.
Seven sulphuric acid rail cars of a total of 25, are off the tracks, but are empty.
Renée Baker, Communications Manager at ONTC told BayToday that, "At 5:30 this morning 25 empty rail cars derailed about six miles north of North Bay. There were no in juries and no environmental concerns and no spills. Our crews are currently re-railing the cars."
Baker said an engineer and conductor were on the train at the time.
Mayor Al McDonald says, "The derailment was believed to be 24 cars, West of Peninsula. We believe the cars to be empty. The fire department is on scene, ONR representatives. We have sent our engineer to the site.
"We believe there is no diesel spill from train engine as engine did not leave track. They may have to close the highway again for clean up of train cars as some cars leaning against trees."
