An investigation is underway after a CSX Transportation train derailed near Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia, on the railroad's Cumberland Subdivision.

At approximately 22:00 EST on Saturday night, CSX Transportation train Q400-03, enroute from Hamlet, North Carolina to Cumberland, Maryland, was passing milepost BA95.5 on the Cumberland Sub. when the train experienced an undesired emergency brake application. The crew reportedly experienced a hard 'kick' when the emergency application was received.

Upon inspection of the train, the conductor found the 85th through 96th cars of the train, reportedly general merchandise boxcars and three empty hazardous material tank cars, derailed in a general pile-up blocking both main tracks of the busy Cumberland Sub. at mile BA94.5 (near the VA Hospital).

According to first-hand radio accounts from near the scene, traffic had been halted earlier Saturday evening at Shenandoah Junction after an eastbound train saw ties piled on the Main Two track. After a maintenance worker was called to the site and cleared the debris, the Jacksonville CM Dispatcher advised that a track occupancy light was still illuminated between Byrd and Shenandoah Junction. The maintenance crew continued on their search for the cause of the light and Q400 began their passage through the area.

There are no injuries reported in the derailment and no hazardous material cars breached. The investigation is sure to focus on the vandalism that had already been reported in the area of the derailment. More details will be posted as they are obtained.