What happened?

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, and east-bound CSX coal train derailed at a location approximately 4.4 miles west of Providence Forge. A total of 53 coal cars and two locomotives derailed with 44 coal cars spilling approximately 4230 tons of coal. An estimate 2980 gallons of diesel fuel was unrecovered from the two damaged locomotives. The coal cars, locomotives, spilled coal and spilled diesel fuel impacted a wetland area of the Chickahominy River.

What caused the train to derail?

The cause of the derailment is under investigation. 

Who is involved in the response?

The entities involved directly in the response or assisting remotely include but may not be limited to the following: CSX, CSX contractors (environmental, pollution response, recovery, repair), VDEM, DEQ, EPA, VDH (ODW), DCR, DWR, VMRC, USFWS, USACE, BIA and New Kent County.   

How long will the cleanup take?

There is no set timetable for restoration of the damaged rail line and completion of the cleanup. CSX and their contractors are working 24 -hours a day to restore the damaged rail line while simultaneously taking actions to protect the environment and recover the spilled coal. 

What are the impacts from the spilled coal and diesel fuel and what measures are being taken to prevent further impacts?

CSX contractors took immediate action to contain and recover spilled diesel fuel. These actions contained diesel impacts to the immediate incident site, and contractors continue to maintain sorbent booms and use other sorbent materials to contain and recover residual fuel in the vicinity of the site. While diesel fuel can be toxic to plants and wildlife, no wildlife mortalities have been observed thus far. Contracts have also installed silt fencing and turbidity curtains to prevent migration of coal particles as repair work is underway and coal is being staged for recovery.