Freight Train Derails in Austin Texas Disrupting Capital Metro Service

April 4th, 2013 |

AUSTIN, Texas — Capital Metro rail service was disrupted Wednesday, March 3, after a freight train on the tracks derailed overnight, forcing changes to the service.

A freight train derailed in Austin, TX on April 3, 2013 causing delays for Capital Metro Rail passengers and vehicle traffic. It will take days for repair crews to repair the damage to the tracks. Photo credit: Jessica Vess / KVUE

According to Capital Metro spokesperson, Erica Macioge, the accident occurred at about 4:30 a.m on the tracks near East 5th Street and Pedernales Street in East Austin where six freight cars on the train derailed.

Map showing location of freight train derailment just east of the rail crossing at 5th and Pedernales Streets in Austin, TX on April 3, 2013.

There were approximately 75 freight cars on the train at the time of the derailment. Capital Metro split the train into two parts to minimize the number of blocked intersections. The intersections remained closed to traffic at Pedernales and East 6th Street, East 6th was expected to reopen by 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Because the tracks are on the same system used by Capital Metro’s MetroRail service, the blocked intersections forced Capital Metro to cancel several early morning rides.

The incident remains under investigation at this time.

Blog post by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and Texas railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.