Fiery Train Derailment in Bartlett, IL Blocks Metra Rail Service

November 3rd, 2011 |

BARTLETT, IL – Twenty-two rail cars jumped the tracks in Bartlett, IL when a northbound Canadian Nation freight train derailed in a fiery crash and then blocked all east and west Metra passenger rail service in the Bartlett-Elgin area.

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Fire crews dousing the blaze after a fiery Canadian National freight train derailment in Bartlett, IL where 22 rail cars jumped the tracks, then burst into flames on Thursday November 3, 2011.

Bartlett is located in Cook County and DuPage County, Illinois with a small part also located in Kane County, Illinois. Bartlett is about 17.4 miles southeast of Elgin, 13.7 miles northwest of Wheaton and 9 miles southwest of Schaumburg.

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The accident happened just after 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning, November 3, 2011 on the western border of Bartlett and Elgin, IL on near the intersection of Lambert Lane and New Spaulding Rd. where the east and west tracks cross the north and south tracks.

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Map showing location of a fiery train derailment in Bartlett, IL on November 3, 2011 near the intersection of Lambert Lane and New Spaulding Rd. near the border with Elgin, IL.

Three of the derailed cars caught fire in the mishap. Initially, it was reported by Bartlett Police that none of the burning cars contained any hazardous materials but a railroad company spokesman later said that two of the cars did, in fact, contain hazardous materials.

The hazardous materials involved were identified as ferric sulfate (an industrial chemical) and alkaline sodium hydroxide (more commonly known as lye). Firefighters and Hazmat crews were dispatched to the scene.

Fortunately it appears that no one appears to have been injured in the mishap and there were no reports of any railroad worker injuries at this time. No one appears to have suffered any burn injuries as a result.

Officials do not know what caused the derailment, but the accident is currently under investigation.

Metra rail service has been temporarily cancelled until the area has been cleaned up and the tracks repaired. Metra Rail has responded and called in buses to transport stranded passengers and will accommodate passengers by making all stops between Chicago and River Grove.

FELA Lawyer News Blog is a FELA, train accident and personal injury blog that publishes up to date train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States. The Federal Employers ‘Liability Act, (FELA) allows injured railroad workers to recover compensation based on the negligence of the railroad company, in lieu of workers’ compensation. FELA defines negligence as the railroad company’s failure to use reasonable care.