Rail cars plucked from Wabash, repairs begin after derailment on downtown bridge

Cause unknown, as Norfolk Southern investigates. Federal rules keep bridge maintenance, inspection records under wraps

Thanks to support from the Long Center for the Performing Arts, which presents MasterChef Junior Live at the downtown Lafayette theater 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. For tickets and more, go to longpac.org.

---

Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after four Norfolk Southern rail cars carrying slag from steel production derailed on a downtown Lafayette bridge and fell into the Wabash River, crews were lining up and fitting railroad ties to fix the tracks.

Crews measure and line up railroad ties Thursday afternoon, as they start repairs after a derailment sent four freight cars from a rail bridge into the Wabash River in downtown Lafayette.

What caused the derailment was still be investigated Thursday, Connor Spielmaker, a Norfolk Southern spokesman, said. He said Norfolk Southern’s findings would be sent to the Federal Railroad Administration for review and eventual release.

Warren Flatau, a Federal Railroad Administration spokesman, said the federal agency likely would post an accident investigation report within six months. He said the agency would not release preliminary findings, including possible causes.

What was known, as of Thursday: