Train derailment cleanup continues

SANDUSKY — Work continues to clear the Columbus Avenue underpass after Saturday's train derailment in Sandusky. No one was hurt when the incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The crash happened east of the underpass after a Norfolk Southern freight train reportedly had engine issues, causing 20 cars out of the train's 101 total cars to derail. Damaged train cars leaked paraffin wax, which isn't hazardous, city officials said. Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser said efforts to clean up the wreckage have been ongoing since the derailment. Until further notice, the Columbus Avenue underpass will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. People, however, can access the Campbell Street crossing, which reopened Monday, as a detour. "We do not yet have an estimated timeframe for when Columbus Avenue will reopen," Wobser said Monday. "Public safety is our first and foremost concern, and we need to assess what repairs may be needed before we can reopen the street safely. The city will continue to work with the railroad in securing the site as cleanup and repair work moves forward." Norfolk Southern spokesman Connor Spielmaker didn't say how long cleanup efforts could take and how many gallons of paraffin wax leaked from the affected train cars among other questions posed by the Register. An inquiry for additional details about what caused the derailment also went unanswered. "As to cause, we investigate and furnish those findings to the Federal Railroad Administration," Spielmaker said. Tom Horsman, the city's communications manager, said Norfolk Southern repaired affected tracks, and trains could be seen traveling on the bridge again Monday over Columbus Avenue but at slower speeds. For about a full day, the derailment disrupted Amtrak passenger trains' schedules, forcing them to bypass the Sandusky station and detour between Elyria and Toledo, where local riders could board in either of those cities, the company said. It's believed, as of Monday, service to and from Sandusky has resumed, officials said. About 1,500 Ohio Edison customers lost power near the derailment site Saturday evening as train cars became tangled in power lines and brought down poles during the derailment. Power within Sandusky city limits was restored by Sunday afternoon, Ohio Edison's website said. The power outage also affected St. Mary Central Catholic High School's homecoming dance on Saturday, which was moved from the school on West Jefferson Street near downtown Sandusky to Ghostly Manor on Milan Road (U.S. 250). "Thank you to the Criscione family for saving the night," the school posted on its social network page Saturday evening. A father-daughter dance planned at the school for Sunday afternoon continued as scheduled after power was restored, Sandusky Central Catholic officials said. Sandusky officials praised city employees for their quick response in the derailment's aftermath. "I appreciate the professionalism shown by police, fire and public works to this incident," said Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady. "They mobilized in a matter of minutes to respond to what was a very dangerous situation. "This event could have been a lot worse, and all involved played a role in this success. Train cars and concrete can be replaced. Lives cannot. To be able to report no injuries or deaths is a blessing for this city." Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood - Support local journalism. Click here to subscribe to the Register.