Train Derailment Spills Logs, Closing Road and Train Tracks

Witnesses say they've noticed trains moving through the area at higher speeds than usual.

Photos: Tammy Robbins - Jefferson Fire District Video by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(TALBOT, OR) - A northbound Portland & Western Railroad train carrying logs derailed Wednesday afternoon at a crossing on Marlatt Rd. just north of Talbot.

Jefferson Rural Fire Protection District (JRFPD) was dispatched at 5:02 p.m. to respond to the incident after neighbors noticed the accident. They discovered the road completely blocked by spilled logs near the 1300 block of Marlatt Rd.

A total of eight cars derailed, with several of them completely overturning onto the road and along the track.

There were only two people on the train--the conductor and the engineer--and neither were hurt. No cars were stopped at the crossing at the time of the accident, so no other injuries have been reported.

Crews were waiting for nearby power lines to be shut down so they could begin the clean-up, which is expected to take until at least Friday.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The video below was recorded by Salem-News.com's Jerry Freeman:

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