Main Street in downtown Hiram reopens after trail derailment

HIRAM, Ga. — A late Saturday night train derailment in downtown Hiram shut down one of the city’s main arteries over the weekend.

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A Norfolk Southern locomotive pulling an 88 car train overturned around 10:30 p.m. Saturday on Main Street between Railroad Street and Beatty Street blocking traffic and closing roads downtown.

According to Norfolk Southern, two crew members riding in the lead locomotive, which overturned along with seven other train cars, were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries before being released early Sunday morning. The company said the other two locomotives pulling the train remained upright.

The Atlanta based train company released a statement to Channel 2 Action News Sunday morning:

“First responders and our team are on-site and clean-up has already begun. We’re extremely grateful for the quick response from Hiram Police and Fire and Paulding County Fire Rescue in helping our crew and ensuring safety at the scene. Our two crew members have been released from the hospital and we’re grateful their injuries were minor. Our investigation into the cause of this derailment is already underway, and we will report our findings to the Federal Railroad Administration as soon as they are ready.”

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Norfolk Southern did say some diesel fuel spilled from the locomotive but it was contained to their right-of-way. The company added that no environmental impact should be expected and there is no threat to the community.

Main Street reopened just before 6 a.m. Monday.

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