Hartford train derailment: 3 engines, 19 cars overturned on Wisconsin and Southern Railroad train

HARTFORD, Wis. (CBS 58) — Remediation crews are working at a massive train derailment in Hartford Monday, June 30. 

Crews responded to the tracks near Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue just after 9:30 a.m.

Officials say three engines and 19 cars overturned on a Wisconsin and Southern Railroad train.

"It was a loud bang, louder than a normal hookup. I was like, holy cow," said onlooker Paul Phillips, who works at a plant near the railroad tracks. "Everybody's just kind of in awe. They can't believe that it actually happened, and it's just a sight."

Hartford Fire and Rescue Chief Tony Burgard said three conductors walked from the crash to the roadway and were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Seven area fire departments, and several emergency and environmental management crews responded to the scene.

"There's approximately several thousands of gallons of diesel fuel that have spilled into the ground. There's also a nitrous oxide tank that had crashed and the outside cracked off of, but the tank has not leaked," Burgard said.

Crews worked for hours to pump diesel out of the ground. Clean Harbors is responding for environmental remediation.

"We tried to make the leak as small as possible. There is a waterway, a tributary, that does lead into the Rubicon River. It looks like we are successful keeping all of the diesel fuel out of that tributary," Burgard explained.

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation by Wisconsin and Southern Railroad.

The Hartford police chief told us it could take days to move the engines and cars off the tracks.