Maine train derailment caused by beaver dam and major fuel spill

In April 2023, a significant train derailment occurred in rural Maine's Somerset County, resulting in injuries and an environmental disaster. The incident involved a freight train operated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City, which derailed and spilled hundreds of gallons of fuel, leading to a forest fire in the heavily forested area. This derailment transpired due to a severe washout caused by excessive water flowing through a beaver dam, which is believed to have overwhelmed culverts under the tracks. The permitting and compliance manager for the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, Audie Arbo, clarified that a flow meant to allow water to pass through the dam failed, allowing a massive influx of water to erode the railroad track, ultimately causing the train to derail. Three railroad workers were hospitalized but were treated and released shortly after the incident. The derailment involved three locomotive engines and six train cars, which were transporting lumber and electrical wiring. As a result of the derailment, the locomotives and adjacent cars caught fire, complicating the cleanup and repair efforts led by the railway owner, Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Estimates suggest approximately 500 gallons of fuel spilled in the incident, adding to the environmental concern of the situation. Cleanup and restoration efforts for the site took several months, extending into late 2024, according to a letter from state officials sent to Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The devastating impact of the derailment highlights the potential hazards posed by wildlife structures, particularly in regions where railways traverse through natural environments. Additionally, this incident underscores the increasing challenges that railway companies face in maintaining infrastructure amidst natural events and climate variations, particularly in rural jurisdictions like Somerset County. The greater implications of such derailments also reflect on transportation safety regulations and the ongoing need for enhanced monitoring of environmental factors that may compromise railway operations. This tragedy prompts a thorough reevaluation of how beaver dams and other natural occurrences can directly affect engineered infrastructures, guiding future safety planning and risk management strategies within the railway industry.