Train goes off the tracks in Delphos

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

DELPHOS — A number of residents in Delphos were awakened by a loud noise early Sunday morning. That noise turned out to be three train cars that derailed near the intersection of Bank St. and South Bredeick St.

The westbound train went off the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern (CFE) rail line at approximately 12:45 a.m., breaking at least one power pole in the process. Two of the derailed cars wound up in the yard of Jonathan Bolen of Bank St.

“I woke up to a loud bang and a flash of lights, then the power went out,” Bolen said. “I ran outside and the railroad guys were running around and they wouldn’t tell me what was going on. The cops showed up and made sure we were okay first and then assessed the situation.”

“It was headed straight toward our living room,” Bolen continued. “We just had a newborn and she’s only two months old so it scared me pretty good.”

Bolen also noted he and his wife just spent approximately $300 on groceries the day before and were trying to preserve as much of the food as possible without electricity.

Fortunately, the derailed cars were empty grain cars with no hazardous or toxic materials, and no injuries were reported.

Damage was confined to a portion of Bolen’s yard, but electricity was knocked out to more than 100 Ohio AEP customers. Crews were at the scene for much of the day Sunday, trying to restore power to affected customers. AEP estimated power would be fully restored by late Sunday night. Railroad crews were at the scene as well and by early afternoon had the cars back on the rails and were starting to move them. Roads and streets in the area were blocked off to traffic for a number of hours.

There’s no word on a possible cause of the derailment. Attempts to reach Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad for comment were unsuccessful. The Delphos Police Department is expected to release more information Tuesday morning.