The train hit a utility pole, prompting power outages in the area.
AUSTIN, Texas — Several train cars derailed early Tuesday morning in East Austin.
A train, owned by Watco Rail, hit an Austin Energy utility pole around 3:45 a.m., near East Sixth and Robert T. Martinez Jr. streets, according to the Austin Fire Department (AFD).
Crews said seven train cars turned over, and Austin Energy said power outages impacted 82 customers in the area, but power has since been restored.
AFD said two of the cars contained gravel while the other five were not carrying anything. The train is made up of 90 cars total.
Responders also said no injuries have been reported at this time, and no hazardous material was inside the cars.
But neighbors like Nick Moreau said the train was too close for comfort. Moreau, who lives across the street from the railroad, said he usually gets woken up by the train rolling through, but this time around, he heard a loud noise around 3:45 a.m.
“I felt a giant thud on the ground, which actually shook my bed, and then it sounded like they were emptying about 20 dumpsters all at the same time,” he said.
Residents living at the E6 apartments would not speak to KVUE on camera, but they did tell us that the train cars crashed into the gate separating their back patios and the railway.
Moreau said it’s a miracle no one was hurt.
“I mean, you just see the wheels, and everything is turned over and all the damage it caused. And it’s even scary because there’s a school right behind here too,” he said, adding, “It’s still pretty startling to see this amount of damage from just this train that happens by every single day.”
Derek Hansen, another East Austin resident, said the train also derailed people’s days.
He said he normally bikes through the area but saw a lot more traffic than usual on East Seventh Street. He said when he saw the overturned cars, he knew navigating traffic later would be a doozy.
“On bikes, we do this a lot where we just have to adapt and find safe routes. I know for cars, you know, Google doesn’t really necessarily know what to do with this,” Hansen said.
Sixth Street, Seventh Street and Webberville Road are closed until crews can clear the train. The impacted Austin Energy pole has been removed and de-energized, and Austin Energy said derailment specialists are moving the train wheels and axels.
CapMetro’s train wasn’t involved, but its rail service is impacted. The transit agency plans to provide bus bridges between the Downtown and MLK stations to help customers get around.
KVUE reached out to Watco Rail to get a better idea of how the train was derailed, but a spokesperson said they are not providing a statement at this time.
