PEWAUKEE — Officials are investigating a train derailment in Pewaukee on Saturday morning that blocked traffic to some homes in the area for hours.
“I’m just glad nobody was hurt,” said Ian Young, a college student who grew up nearby.
According to the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, the Canadian Pacific cargo train was slowing down near Somerset Ln. and Parkside Road when a boxcar came off the tracks.
That caused a tanker and seven other boxcars to derail. Aside from one boxcar full of lumber, the other cars were empty. It's unclear what caused the first boxcar to derail.
The sheriff’s office hasn’t reported any injuries, private property damage and hazmat or environmental impact.
“Our friends said it sounded like a snowplow,” said Young. “That sort of scraping you hear in the morning.”
Young believes that if a derailment had to happen in that area, it happened in “sort of the best spot.”
The cars came off the tracks on a narrow strip of land and a small bridge that connect two neighborhoods. That stretch of track is bordered to the north and south by water. Just to the east and west, however, are a number of homes.
"[It's] not something you see everyday," said Young.
By Saturday afternoon, crews were still clearing the scene with heavy equipment, including several cranes.
The Salvation Army responded to serve hot meals to law enforcement and all the crews there.
“We like to serve people, and that’s what we’re here for. We’re here for everybody," said Mike Neiman, who was volunteering to provide meals.
The Canadian Pacific Railroad is investigating the derailment.
This is a developing story. TMJ4 News will update this article as well learn more.
