1.1.1 Incident Category



The incident is an emergency response to a train derailment.



1.1.2 Site Description



The Site is the location of a train derailment in a rural area.



1.1.2.1 Location



The Site is located in Sandersville, GA near the intersection of Sunhill Grange Road and Sunhill Road. The Site's latitude and longitude are: 32.9513500 and -82.7252050.



1.1.2.2 Description of Threat



Two trains collided head on resulting in release of diesel fuel.



1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

At 13:30 local time on August 7th, two Norfolk Southern trains collided in a head-on collision in Sandersville, GA (NRC Report 1125018). Initial reports indicate there had been a head on collision with three engines and an unconfirmed number of intermodal cars derailed. The trains were carrying no hazardous substances but had approximately 10,800 gallons of diesel fuel on board. It has been confirmed that the fuel tanks on at least two of the engines are actively leaking. It is unknown at this time if the third engine’s fuel tank has been breached. Sun Hill Creek is approximately 700 feet from the collision and one of its tributaries is approximately 200 feet from the collision. Drainage ditches on both the north and south sides of the tracks flow to tributaries of Sun Hill Creek. These tributaries are between 200 and 400 from the collision. Sun Hill Creek and its tributaries flow into Williamson Swamp Creek which flows into Ogeechee River. Initial assessments indicate that fuel was released onto the ballast and into drainage ditches on both sides of the tracks. Boom has been deployed, but fuel can be heard leaking from at least two of the three derailed engines.

2.1.1 Narrative



August 7th



At approximately 13:30 local time, two Norfolk Southern locomotives collided in a head-on collision in Sandersville GA near the intersection of Sun Hill Grange Rd and Sunhill Road (NRC Report 1125018). The collision involved Norfolk Southern train #208, heading from Atlanta GA to Savannah GA, out of Atlanta, Georgia that was headed to Savannah, Georgia, and a local train hauling wood chips and scrap metal.



Three engines and an unconfirmed number of intermodal cars derailed. The trains were carrying no hazardous substances but had approximately 10,800 gallons of diesel fuel on board. There are reports of fuel releasing from the engines involved in the collision. OSC Englert mobilized to the Site on the evening of August 7th and integrated into unified command with Norfolk Southern and GA EPD.



On the evening of August 7th it was confirmed that the fuel tanks on at least two of the locomotives had been breached. It is unknown at this time if the third engine’s fuel tank has been breached. Sun Hill Creek is approximately 700 feet from the collision and is not impacted at this time. The majority of released fuel has leaked onto the ballast on both sides of the tracks and is contained in adjacent soil which is not accessible to vac truck due to the surrounding wreckage.



August 8th



Wrecking crews worked through the night to clear the tracks of derailed cars. The majority of wreckage was cleared by the morning of August 8th and it is anticipated that the rail line will be operation on the evening of August 8th. Vac trucks attempting to access the standing fuel were unable to do so from a nearby road. Norfolk Southern Plans to build additional roads on the north and south side of the tracks to bring heavy equipment and vac trucks closer to the fuel. Test pits have been dug to confirm placement of interceptor trenches that will be installed in the evening of August 8th to allow diesel fuel to be collected.



August 9th



Approximately 150 to 200 gallons of diesel have been recovered from recovery trenches on the north side of the tracks. Little to no diesel has been recovered from trenches on the south side of the track. It was initially believed, that due to the sandy nature of the soil, diesel may have sank on the south side of the tracks but the absence of diesel in the trench and in ground water suggests the possibility that diesel may have traveled over land and into the forested area which is still heavily impacted by debris from the derailment. Additional wrecking has confirmed the presence of diesel beneath debris located in this area, however further wrecking, construction of roads and disposal of debris is required before this area can be made accessible and additional recovery trenches installed. It is anticipated that work on these additional recovery trenches will begin in the next operational period.



An Operations and Maintenance Plan has been drafted and approved by Unified Command. It is anticipated that additional delineation will need to be conducted on the south side of the tracks to determine the extent of contaminated soil and migration of released diesel. Remaining fuel has been drained from all locomotives and it is estimated that approximately 6,000 gallons of diesel were released between the north and south side of the tracks.


August 10th


Norfolk Southern contractors finished installing recovery trenches to the south of the derailment and removing diesel fuel from the drainage ditch. Additional recovery trenches were excavated to the north of the derailment. Oversight is transitioning to GA EPD. OSC Englert demobilized in the afternoon of August 10th.



2.1.2 Response Actions to Date



Contractors and equipment have been mobilized to the Site

Boom has been deployed

Wrecking operations have begun

Remaining fuel has been pumped from locomotives

Construction of roads on north and south sides of tracks has begun

Recovery trenches have been dug on the north and south sides of the track

Additional wreckage is being removed to access contaminated soil and dig additional recovery trenches south of wreckage

An O&M Plan has been approved by Unified Command

Oversight has been transitioned to GA EPD

OSC Englert has demobilized



2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)



Enforcement activities have been initiated and are ongoing. Norfolk Southern has been identified as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP).



2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities



Additional roads will be built,

Additional wrecking will take place to clear debris south of the tracks,

Additional recovery trenches will be dug south of the tracks

Additional diesel and impacted soil will be removed



2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities



Additional roads will be built,



Additional wrecking will take place to clear debris south of the tracks,



Additional recovery trenches will be dug south of the tracks



Additional diesel and impacted soil will be removed



2.2.1.2 Next Steps







2.2.2 Issues

3.1 Unified Command

EPA, GA EPD and Norfolk Southern

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Local law enforcement

EPA OSC

GA EPD

Norfolk Southern

HEPACO Hazmat Team

Geo Syntec

B&P

Hulcher Wrecking Team