A 13-car train derailment in Orono was caused by water built up under the railroad tracks, according to Orono Town Manager Clint Deschene.
The train of 32 cars derailed on Aug. 8 on a portion of track near the Penobscot Valley Country Club. CSX, the transportation company running the train, reported that moisture had gotten into the railbed, which is a build up of rocks and ballast under the tracks, causing the derailment.
The water collected due to a drainage failure, the company reported.
While the August derailment did not release any hazardous materials, it is the second derailment in Maine since 2023 caused by water getting into the railbed. Orono Town staff were told the cause of the accident after reaching out to CSX, Deschene said.
The portion of track was cleared by Aug. 12 and has been fixed and reviewed, according to CSX. Maintenance crews were seen fixing the ballast and repairing the track on Aug. 11, according to WABI.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s investigation into the derailment is ongoing.
The Orono Town Council proposed sending a letter to CSX and federal delegates about the response to the derailment at its Monday meeting, but the letter was not reviewed beforehand. The vote was tabled to a future meeting, with Council Chair Dan Demeritt saying it may be brought up at the next meeting.