Train Derailment Near Southeastern Avenue Blamed on Broken Rail

A broken section of track caused a train derailment in Indianapolis, sending five freight cars off a Southeastern Avenue overpass and spilling cornstarch onto the road during routine operations. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

CSX Transportation confirmed the derailment occurred around 6:35 p.m. on April 6, near Earhart Street. It happened during standard train assembly procedures within the company’s Hawthorn Yard.

Don’t miss…Bullet Train Project to Transform Indian Transport by 2028

Emergency crews from the Indianapolis Fire and Metropolitan Police departments responded quickly. They closed off the area so debris removal could begin safely and without delay.

According to CSX and fire officials, six cars derailed in total. Four were empty, and two carried cornstarch. Five of the six cars fell from the bridge and scattered materials onto the roadway.

Train operations impacted by infrastructure repair

Although the overpass sustained damage, CSX stated that the bridge remains structurally sound. Minor repairs are needed before operations return to normal.

Southeastern Avenue remained closed between Sherman Drive and Rural Street for several days. Work crews cleared debris and inspected the site to ensure safety and prevent future disruptions.

CSX did not comment on how fast the train was traveling or where its cargo was destined. The company focused its response on repairs and recovery.

Train collisions raise safety concerns across Indianapolis

This derailment marked the first CSX-related train incident in Indianapolis in 2025. However, the weekend of April 26-27 saw two additional rail-related accidents.

On April 26 at 2:36 p.m., a Jeep Cherokee collided with a CSX train at Massachusetts Avenue and North Sherman Drive. The driver was seriously injured and later died at the hospital, police reported.

Another crash occurred on April 27 near the St. Clair Street crossing. A red Toyota Camry was struck and pushed several blocks by a train. No injuries were reported in that incident, according to CSX.

Following these events, public attention has turned to improving safety at rail crossings and around freight corridors.

Source: www.indystar.com

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: