UPDATE: About 15 train cars derail in Butler County crash that closes Route 127

A train derailment this morning has shut down part of U.S. 127 in Wayne Twp. The incident happened about 4:15 a.m. near the intersection of Hamilton-Eaton Road (US 127) and Oxford Trenton Road. Several train cars are involved and on their side. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

A train derailment this morning has shut down part of U.S. 127 in Wayne Twp. The incident happened about 4:15 a.m. near the intersection of Hamilton-Eaton Road (US 127) and Oxford Trenton Road. Several train cars are involved and on their side. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

An early-morning derailment of 12 to 16 Norfolk Southern train cars caused closures to U.S. 127 in Wayne Twp. on Tuesday, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.

School buses were rerouted around the area, Jones said. Railroad officials hoped to have the major Butler County thoroughfare open by Tuesday afternoon.

Jones said there were reports the train was speeding through the area at the time of the incident, but he said it was traveling 18 mph.

The incident happened about 4:15 a.m. near the intersection of Hamilton-Eaton Road (U.S. 127) and Oxford Trenton Road. The middle cars of the approximately 40-car train came of the tracks and overturned onto their sides.

Matt Haverkos, Butler County Emergency Management director, said there were no injuries and no reports of hazardous materials in the Norfolk Southern train cars.

Multiple fire departments responded to check the train cars multiple times to assure there were no hazardous materials, Haverkos said. Some were empty grain cars and some were carrying automobile parts.

The cause is under investigation.

“The engine is still upright, so it was midway through the train that had the issue,” Haverkos said.

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