Cause Of Freight Train Derailment In Lower Bucks Co. Revealed

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The cause of a freight train derailment this summer has been revealed.

According to a report filed with the Federal Railroad Administration, the CSX freight train carrying 72 railcars suffered an overheated bearing that caused structural damage to the train tracks and $1.2 million in damage to train equipment.

The derailment happened on June 30, prompting a Hazmat response leading to a shelter-in-place order.

The train derailment happened at the CSX railroad tracks in Trevose between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls Train Station at 2:21 p.m. on Tuesday.

Bensalem Police said the CSX freight train was traveling eastbound toward the Neshaminy Falls Train Station when 13 freight cars near the rear of the train derailed and overturned.

Two of the derailed railcars held hazardous materials.

The report states that a journal bearing — a mechanical assembly at the end of a wheelset axle that supports the car’s weight — overheated and failed.

The report also provides some new information on the crash, listing that there were 56 rail cars and not 72 cars as initially reported. Also, it indicated that 17 rail cars derailed.

Authorities lifted the shelter-in-place after confirming that none of the hazardous materials railcars were leaking and that there was no threat to the public.

CSX Transportation was required to submit a report of its accident investigation to the Federal Railroad Administration, as required whenever a train leaves the tracks.