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Freight Train Derails Near Columbia, Tennessee, at 4:17 p.m. on March 6, 2024

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 11:45 GMT by WTVF

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Train Derailment in Columbia, Maury County: A Detailed Overview

On the evening of Tuesday, March 6, 2024, a freight train operating on the CSX Transportation mainline near the town of Columbia, Tennessee, experienced a sudden derailment that sent several railcars into the surrounding landscape. According to the local news station NewsChannel 5, the incident occurred at approximately 4:17 p.m. near mile marker 102 of the rail corridor, roughly two miles west of downtown Columbia. While no injuries were reported, the derailment prompted a swift emergency response, a temporary suspension of rail traffic, and a series of investigations to determine the root cause and assess potential environmental risks.

1. What Happened?

The derailed train, comprised of 22 cars traveling 40 miles per hour, consisted largely of bulk commodities—including granite aggregates, coal, and steel billets—and two intermodal containers. When the train passed the railroad bridge over South Columbia Creek, a sudden loss of wheel alignment caused a cluster of cars to veer onto the tracks and into the waterway.

According to a statement released by CSX Transportation, a track failure at the bridge’s broad‑rail support was identified as the most likely trigger. Preliminary inspections indicated a cracked rail head and a corroded rail fastener that may have allowed the rail to shift under load. The company’s spokesperson, Megan Thompson, emphasized that the Freight Safety Board (FSB) would soon conduct a more in-depth analysis.

While the incident did not involve any hazardous chemicals, one of the derailed cars—car number 13—contained a 15‑ton load of crushed limestone that spilled onto the creek. Local environmental agencies responded immediately to mitigate any erosion or sedimentation issues.

2. Immediate Response

Upon receiving the dispatch call, the Maury County Sheriff's Office, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), and CSX emergency crews converged on the site within minutes. The sheriff’s office, led by Deputy Sheriff Kevin Mitchell, declared the area a no‑entry zone to prevent secondary accidents and to allow emergency personnel to assess structural damage.

The Tennessee Department of Environmental Quality (TDEQ) dispatched an aquatic monitoring team to sample the creek water for turbidity and potential contamination. Their preliminary test results returned “No detectable contaminants”.

Simultaneously, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent a rapid‑response team to secure the rail corridor, gather evidence, and coordinate with federal agencies. The NTSB’s spokesperson, Anthony Ortiz, noted that “Our priority is to ensure public safety and protect the environment while initiating a comprehensive investigation into the derailment.”

3. Official Statements

CSX Transportation issued a formal statement acknowledging the derailment and pledging full cooperation with all investigative bodies. “We are deeply committed to the safety of our crews, the communities through which our trains travel, and the integrity of the rail network,” Thompson said. “We will provide all data and personnel necessary to determine the precise cause of this incident.”

The Tennessee Department of Transportation released a press release that highlighted its ongoing monitoring of the rail line’s condition and its commitment to collaborating with CSX on preventive measures. “Maintaining safe rail infrastructure is essential to Tennessee’s economic vitality,” the statement read. “We will continue to work closely with CSX to identify any vulnerabilities in the bridge and surrounding track.”

Deputy Sheriff Mitchell added, “There were no injuries or fires, which is the most important outcome for all involved. We will keep the community informed as the investigation progresses.”

4. Investigations and Follow‑Up

The incident has activated multiple investigative tracks:

CSX has already ordered a temporary suspension of rail traffic between mile markers 98–104 to allow crews to inspect and repair the damaged track. The company’s Track Maintenance Division estimates a three‑day downtime for the affected segment, during which alternative freight routes will be used.

Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Transportation plans to conduct a bridge integrity assessment in partnership with CSX’s civil engineering team. The assessment will evaluate the load‑bearing capacity, corrosion status, and seismic resilience of the bridge structure.

5. Community Impact

While the immediate physical damage was largely contained to the track and a small section of the creek, the derailment has sparked conversations about rail safety in rural Tennessee. Residents near the site, many of whom rely on the rail corridor for local businesses, expressed concern about potential future incidents.

Local businessman Maria Lopez, owner of a grain storage facility that uses rail shipments, remarked, “We’ve been here for decades, and our operations rely on that line. Seeing a train derail makes us realize how fragile the system can be. We’re hopeful that the investigations will lead to stronger safety protocols.”

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has called for a town‑wide meeting to discuss the incident, potential economic implications, and the role of state agencies in ensuring safe transportation infrastructure.

6. What to Expect Next

The NTSB has set a preliminary deadline of October 2024 for its final accident report, which will outline the causative factors and recommend corrective actions. In the interim, CSX is expected to issue a maintenance update detailing the specific repairs carried out on the bridge and the track.

The TDEQ will continue monitoring the creek’s water quality over the next few months. Should any sedimentary or chemical concerns arise, the agency will notify the public and may initiate remedial cleanup efforts.

For the residents of Columbia and the wider Maury County community, the derailment serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, maintenance, and collaboration between private rail operators and public safety agencies. As the investigations unfold, stakeholders will be closely watched to ensure that lessons learned translate into tangible safety improvements, safeguarding both people and the environment for years to come.