Gary Sease

Crews worked late into the night "rerailing" a train carrying lumber and paper that derailed in Whitfield County, Ga., Sunday evening.

Dispatchers at the sheriff's office said there were no injuries and no hazardous materials involved in the 10- to 15-car derailment, which happened about 6:35 p.m.

Staff photo by Kelly Jackson

Authorities say the accident happened near the intersection of Old Chattanooga Road and Rockyface Railroad Street, northwest of Dalton between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41.

Gary Sease, a spokesman for CSX, which owns the train, said the company was investigating the accident, but it could be awhile before they determine the cause. He said the line is a well-traveled route that is probably inspected regularly, but with all accidents, the track, the train's systems and the way it was being run will be the first components of the investigation.

"That will be quite some time," he said.

Mr. Sease said the train was traveling from Hamlett, N.C., to Nasvhille by way of Atlanta and had two diesel locomotives and 64 cars, 40 of which were empty. The two crew members on board were not harmed, he said. The derailment started with car No. 49.

He hoped to have more information sometime this morning.

"There are just a lot of things going on right now," he said.