2015 Tennessee train derailment
| 2015 Tennessee train derailment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | July 2, 2015 |
| Location | Maryville, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35°45′39″N 84°01′28″W / 35.7608016°N 84.02437429999998°W |
| Operator | CSX Transportation |
| Incident type | Derailment |
| Cause | Overheated journal (Roller bearings)[1] |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | One |
| Injured | 197[1] |
| Damage | $272,000[1] |
The 2015 Tennessee train derailment occurred on July 1, 2015 when a CSX Transportation train derailed at Maryville, Tennessee[2]. The train was carrying toxic chemicals, leading to an evacuation of over 5,000 people.
Accident
[edit]At 11:45 PM on July 1, 2015, a CSX Transportation freight train carrying hazardous materials from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waycross, Georgia derailed in Maryville, Tennessee.[3] It was composed of two locomotives and 57 freight cars,[4] at least two of which were carrying acrylonitrile.[3] Other railcars in the consist were carrying LPG.[5] Three of the railcars were reported to have caught fire. Authorities ordered an evacuation of everyone within a 1 mile (1.6 km) radius.[6] The evacuation zone was later extended to 2 miles (3.2 km),[3] affecting over 5,000 people.[3] Those evacuated were offered accommodation at the Heritage High School, where Red Cross personnel provided assistance, or at the Foothills Mall.[7] Roads closed included U.S. Route 321.[6] Fifty-two people were injured by inhaling fumes from the chemicals on the train.[4] Twenty-five of them,[8] including seven police officers, were hospitalized.[4][6]
CSX said it was helping residents find lodging. They also said there were at least three cars carrying the chemical, although only one was burning.[9]
Investigation
[edit]The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) did not open an investigation into the accident, although that option remained open to them.[4] At the time, NTSB spokespersons reported they would monitor the situation and could send an investigator later depending on new developments but never did.[10]
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) lists a report from CSX stating that the cause of the accident was an overheated journal or roller bearing. It also states the number of injured as 197 and total damages as $272,000.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 CSX Transportation (n.d.). DERAILMENT on Jul 01 2015 CSX Transportation [CSX ] RR Report 000148646 (Report). FRA. RR Report 000148646.
S54101 DERAILED DUE TO JOURNAL (ROLLER BEARING) FAILURE FROM OVERHEATING. CAR CAME TO REST APPROX. 9 MILES AFTER IT DERAILED AROUND MT. TABOR. THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND RELEASED HAZMAT. UTLX 901717 LEAKED 24,500 GALLONS OF ACRYLONITRILE STABILIZED.
- ↑ Federal Railroad Administration (July 1, 2015). Derailment and Subsequent Hazmat Release on CSX Transportation Freight Train # S541-01, Maryville, Tennessee, July 1, 2015 (PDF) (Report). U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration. p. 1. Retrieved October 7, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Jamieson, Alastair; Walters, Shamar; Nelson, Chris (July 3, 2015). "Tennessee Train Derailment: 5,000 Residents Evacuated From Maryville". NBC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Megargee, Steve; Clark, Johnny. "Smoke Subsides After Hazardous Rail Spill in Tennessee". ABC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Thousands Evacuated After Derailed Train Hauling Chemicals Catches Fire in Tennessee – Yahoo". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Mosdenz, Polly (July 2, 2015). "5,000 Evacuated in Tennessee After Train Derailment Releases Toxic Fumes". Newsweek. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ↑ Walker, Jade (July 2, 2015). "Train Carrying Toxic Substance Derails Near Knoxville, Tennessee; Thousands Evacuated". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ Burnside, Tina; Brumfield, Ben (July 2, 2015). "Derailed train car spews toxic fumes, many evacuated". CNN.com. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Updated CSX Statement/Outreach Center Established" (Press release). CSX Transportation. July 2, 2015. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
- ↑ "Smoke diminishes after derailment, toxic spill in Tenn". USA TODAY. July 2, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2025.