WASHINGTON — Two locomotives being transported dead-in-tow were coupled together, contrary to Norfolk Southern operating rules, in the consist of the NS train that derailed March 9 near Anniston, Ala., according to a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report released Monday.
With Norfolk Southern under close scrutiny in the wake of February’s derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Alabama incident received additional attention because it came shortly before NS CEO Alan Shaw testified before a Senate hearing [see “Norfolk Southern train derails …,” Trains News Wire, March 9, 2023].
The derailment involved two locomotives and 37 cars of a six-locomotive, 108-car train at about 6:19 a.m. EST. Two portions of the train derailed: two locomotives and 29 cars near the head end, and eight cars near the rear. There were no injuries and no release of hazardous materials — although three cars in the consist contained hazardous-material residue. NS has estimated total damage at $2.9 million.
The dead-in-tow locomotive — waybill locomotives being transported for revenue —should not have been coupled together, according to NS rules, because they were not equipped with alignment control couplers. Those couplers resist lateral coupler movement under compressive in-train forces, according to the report. Initial accident reports provide basic information on an incident and do not attempt to determine a probable cause, so this report does not necessarily indicate the locomotive issue led to the derailment.
The report indicates the NTSB’s ongoing investigation will focus on NS communication, maintenance, and inspection practices; locomotive and railcar positioning; and train handling.
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