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Glens Falls Derailment May Warrant Closer Look At Rail Infrastructure

Rail tracks
Tipiac-Alain Caraco/Wikimedia Commons

A train derailment earlier this week in Glens Falls has some local officials suggesting it may be time to reexamine the area’s infrastructure.

On Monday afternoon, a train carrying ammonia derailed in Glens Falls, jumping tracks near the Lehigh Northeast Cement Company.

Ed Greenberg, a spokesman for Canadian Pacific, the company that owns the tracks, said emergency protocols were initiated swiftly, the two tanker cars were placed back on the tracks, and traffic was resumed by Tuesday morning.

“The two cars were safely rerailed by Monday evening, and by Tuesday morning the section of the track that was impacted were fully repaired, and following inspections was brought back into service,” said Greenberg.

There were no injuries or leaks associated with the accident. Greenberg said an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.

In light of the accident, Ed Bartholomew, Director of EDC Warren County, said rail is a vital service for area businesses and added focus should be placed on improving both freight and passenger rail. Bartholomew said EDC would be interested in working with any involved parties to see if the organization can assist in advocating for rail improvements throughout the region.

“I think that we will work with the various businesses that depend on rail, as well as with Canadian Pacific and the other rail carriers in the area, to see what we can do to be helpful in trying to expand and improve rail spurs if that is what’s necessary, and become and advocate for them in any funding level at the state or federal level,” said Bartholomew.

Bartholomew said the safety issue needs to be addressed in rail as well as other forms of transport.

“Certainly as well as safety issues in the trucking industry because of the number of items that are being transported by rail, but as well as items being transported over land on Interstate 87,” said Bartholomew.

Reached on his cell phone, Republican Assemblyman Dan Stec of Queensbury said the outcome of Canadian Pacific’s investigation of the accident could warrant a more broad assessment of rail infrastructure throughout Northern New York.

“Assuming that they find the condition of the rail or the condition of the general infrastructure played a part in that, then by all means I do think you have to start wondering if there’s a bigger picture or need to investigate conditions throughout the corridor,” said Stec.

Stec said he was relieved that was no injury, loss of life, or extensive damage associated with the accident.

Ed Greenberg of Canadian Pacific said he was unable to confirm any previous incidents on the rail spur where Monday’s derailment took place.

According to reports, the train was carrying ammonia to a mill owned by Finch Paper Co.

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.
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