BASCOM, Ohio - For the second time in less than two weeks, a CSX train derailed in Loudon Township on the same Seneca County rail line that runs through Fostoria.
The derailment late yesterday morning of three boxcars occurred about three miles east of a Feb. 13 derailment site involving 18 cars. One CSX employee suffered minor injuries yesterday.
CSX spokesman Bob Sullivan said authorities were still investigating the cause of the derailment, which occurred about 11:30 a.m. as the three-locomotive train was trying to reattach its cars. The freight train was headed from Columbus to Willard.
Mr. Sullivan said the rail line was in the process of reopening late yesterday afternoon.
Karen Kuhn, whose State Rt. 18 farm property abuts the rail line, reported the accident to the county sheriff's office.
She and her husband, Ed, who operate Kuhn Sales and Service, said employees working inside their shop heard the train derail. They then looked outside and saw the boxcars lying on the Kuhns' farm field.
“It was a tremendous noise,” Mrs. Kuhn said.
Mr. Kuhn said he rushed from his shop to the derailment site, where he saw two CSX employees walking around the scene. He said they did not appear to be injured.
Just prior to the derailment, locomotives from the 119-car train had arrived at the nearby Bascom Elevator to pick up three cars loaded with corn. The engines then backed up about a mile to reattach with the remainder of the train.
Mike Coppus, a manager at Bascom Elevator and a volunteer with the local fire department, said he heard a call on his scanner and knew the train that had just left the company was the one that derailed.
Both Mr. Coppus and the Kuhns said they believe the engines were moving too fast when trying to reattach with the cars.
First Published February 26, 2002, 11:28 a.m.