Train derails, loses 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel

Teams worked overnight to contain the spill and prevent the fuel from entering a nearby stream. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services assisted Pickens County Fire and Rescue crews.

Teams worked overnight to contain the spill and prevent the fuel from entering a nearby stream. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services assisted Pickens County Fire and Rescue crews.

A train locomotive derailed Tuesday night, causing it to lose 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, according to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

About 7:40 p.m., the Georgia Northeastern Railroad locomotive derailed just north of the Imerys Carbonate plant in Talking Rock, Pickens sheriff's Capt. Kris Stancil told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Fortunately, there have not been any injuries and only the fuel from the locomotive has leaked out,” he said.

Teams worked overnight to contain the spill and prevent the fuel from entering a nearby stream. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services assisted.

The derailment happened in a rural area near the line that divides Pickens and Gilmer counties. No evacuations were needed.

“The area of the spill was not near any homes or other businesses,” Stancil said.

Georgia Northeastern Railroad officials are still investigating the cause of the derailment.

“The train remained upright during the incident and only the one locomotive left the track,” Stancil said.

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