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Commuter Rail Line blocked by 22-Car Train Derailment

Last Updated: 22 November, 2011

In the early hours of November 3, 20011, a train derailment lead to a fiery scene after the collision of two trains in the area of unincorporated Cook County between Elgin and Bartlett. The derailment has caused the temporary closure of the Milwaukee West Line.

Around 5:30 a.m., twenty-two cars derailed and three began to burn after the collision occurred between two trains on the Canadian National rail lines that are north-south tracks at the point where they cross with the east-west Milwaukee West commuter rail line. One of the trains was a northbound Canadian National freight train. 

There were no reported injuries and nor were there any evacuations. The cars that were carrying toxic material of acid and sodium hydroxide (lye) were cleared from the derailment area and did not catch afire. However, the storage sheds for the Milwaukee Commuter line were blocked by the derailment which prevented the cars for east and west bound lines from being dispatched. This is expected to last through Friday as crews clean up the accident site.

Train derailments can cause more than delays in commuter rail lines. If you or a loved one knows someone who has injuries as a result of a train derailment, call Spiros Law, P.C. at (815) 929-9292 to find out your legal rights.