MBTA Commuter Train Derails in Fitchburg MA

(SOURCE:  Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise, by Alana Melanson)

Workers investigate after an MBTA train derailed as it was pulling into the 

Fitchburg Intermodel Stationt. 

SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

FITCHBURG -- A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter-rail train carrying between 50 and 60 passengers derailed at the Intermodal Station on Tuesday, just before 8 PM (12/17), after several hours of heavy snowfall. 

Police Sgt. Thomas Daoust and Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Curran said there were no injuries in the incident, and that passengers were quickly evacuated from the back of the train and left the scene. 

"Most of them were unaware there was an overshooting of the platform," Curran said. 

He said one engineer on board sought treatment by MedStar ambulance personnel but signed a release.
Curran said the engineer told officials there were 2,500 gallons of fuel on the train and not a single drop spilled during the derailment, which led to the train going about 10 feet off course but remaining upright.

Radio reports at the scene indicated that a second train was held in waiting behind the derailed train, and that angry passengers wanting to go home became rowdy and threatened the conductor.

Fitchburg police, firefighters and ambulance workers were staying on the scene until MBTA officials arrived, which occurred past press time.