WALES — Four railroad cars carrying limestone slurry derailed Monday evening in Wales near Leeds Junction, off Greene Road, officials said.
The cars did not tip over and only one was damaged.
Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson said the incident was reported at about 4 p.m. and no injuries were reported. Leeds Junction Road in Wales and Greene will be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday while crews work on the derailed train cars, according to a Facebook post from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.
The train carried a conductor and an operator. It was not immediately known the total number of cars on the train.
Samson said there is no public safety danger. Railroad officials are expected to head up the investigation. They were not available Monday afternoon to take questions.
A Maine Emergency Management Agency official said his department is on standby while Maine Department of Environmental Protection staff members assess environmental risks.
State DEP Deputy Commissioner David Madore said his department’s hazardous materials team responded to the derailment scene to evaluate possible environmental impacts and to offer assistance.
“There was only one railroad car damaged and no leaks were observed, according to DEP staff,” Madore said. “Rerailing the cars onto the tracks and transloading product from a damaged car to an empty car are expected to take place this evening.”
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