2015 Tennessee train derailment
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{{Infobox public transit accident
| name = 2015 Tennessee train derailment
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| coordinates = {{coord|35.7608016|-84.02437429999998|type:event|display=inline}}
| date = {{start date and age|2015|07|02}}
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| location = Maryville, Tennessee
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| operator = CSX Transportation
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| type = Derailment
| cause = Overheated journal (Roller bearings)
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| trains = One
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The 2015 Tennessee train derailment occurred on July 2, 2015. A CSX Transportation train derailed at Maryville, Tennessee. The train was carrying toxic chemicals, leading to an evacuation of over 5,000 people.
Accident
On July 2, 2015, a CSX Transportation freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed at Maryville, Tennessee. The train was traveling from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waycross, Georgia. It comprised two locomotives and 57 freight cars, at least two of which were carrying acrylonitrile. Other railcars in the consist were carrying LPG.{{cite web |url=https://gma.yahoo.com/train-hauling-chemicals-catches-fire-tennessee-residents-evacuated-082819002--abc-news-topstories.html |title=Thousands Evacuated After Derailed Train Hauling Chemicals Catches Fire in Tennessee – Yahoo |publisher=Good Morning America |date= |access-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703061519/https://gma.yahoo.com/train-hauling-chemicals-catches-fire-tennessee-residents-evacuated-082819002--abc-news-topstories.html |url-status=dead }} Three of the railcars were reported to have caught fire. An evacuation of all within a {{convert|1|mile|km}} radius was ordered. The evacuation zone was later extended to {{convert|2|mi|km}},{{cite web |first1=Alastair |last1=Jamieson |first2=Shamar |last2=Walters |first3=Chris |last3=Nelson |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-train-derailment-5-000-residents-evacuated-maryville-n385576 |title=Tennessee Train Derailment: 5,000 Residents Evacuated From Maryville |work=NBC News |date=3 July 2015 |access-date=July 3, 2015 }} affecting over 5,000 people. Those evacuated were offered accommodation at the Heritage High School, where Red Cross personnel provided assistance, or at the Foothills Mall.{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/02/tennessee-train-derailme_n_7711660.html |first=Jade |last=Walker |title=Train Carrying Toxic Substance Derails Near Knoxville, Tennessee; Thousands Evacuated |publisher=Huffington Post |date= 2 July 2015|access-date=July 3, 2015}} Roads closed included U.S. Route 321. Fifty-two people were injured by inhaling fumes from the chemicals on the train.{{cite web |first1=Steve |last1=Megargee |first2=Johnny |last2=Clark |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/train-derailment-fire-prompts-evacuation-tennessee-32175717 |title=Smoke Subsides After Hazardous Rail Spill in Tennessee |work=ABC News |date= |access-date=July 3, 2015}} Twenty-five of them,{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/02/us/tennessee-train-derailment-toxic-chemical-fire/ |first1=Tina |last1=Burnside |first2=Ben |last2=Brumfield |title=Derailed train car spews toxic fumes, many evacuated |publisher=CNN.com |date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=July 3, 2015 }} including seven police officers, were hospitalized at the Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/5000-evacuated-tennessee-after-train-derailment-releases-toxic-fumes-349375 |title=5,000 Evacuated in Tennessee After Train Derailment Releases Toxic Fumes |first=Polly |last=Mosdenz |date=2 July 2015 |publisher=Newsweek |access-date=July 2, 2015}}
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.{{Cite press release |title=Updated CSX Statement/Outreach Center Established |date=July 2, 2015 |publisher=CSX Transportation |url=http://www.csx.com/index.cfm/media/press-releases/updated-csx-statementoutreach-center-established |access-date=16 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811071853/http://www.csx.com/index.cfm/media/press-releases/updated-csx-statementoutreach-center-established |archive-date=11 August 2015}}
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not opened an investigation into the accident, although that option remains open to them.
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.{{cite report |author=CSX Transportation |author-link=CSX Transportation |date=n.d. |title=DERAILMENT on Jul 01 2015 CSX Transportation [CSX ] RR Report 000148646 |publisher=FRA |docket= RR Report 000148646 |quote= 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. }}