Canadian National Train Derailment: Could it Happen Here?

Ongoing concerns over hazardous materials carried on the EJ&E train line were reignited last week when a Canadian National freight train derailed last week in the northwest suburbs.

The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, which runs through the south end of New Lenox, was purchased by Canadian National for $300 million in 2008. New Lenox and Will County officials opposed the EJ&E purchase, citing environmental issues because of the hazardous materials carried in the trains.

The county and other villages entered into litigation with Canadian National, but New Lenox eventually , which was approved in December 2010.  

Sun-Times Media asked Mayor Tim Baldermann and Will County Executive Larry Walsh for their reaction following the train derailment. Could it happen here?

“We are very concerned,” Baldermann said to the newspaper. “The likelihood of (an accident) happening here is slim, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I am curious to see why this (Thursday’s derailment) happened.”

Read "‘What if?’ ... CN derailment renews Southland leaders’ concerns."

Currently, an average of 9.4 trains run through New Lenox daily, Canadian National spokesman Mark Hallman said. But the company has said it could quadruple that rate in coming years, causing concern about the wear and tear on tracks.