Finger Lakes Railway train derails in Milo

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County Sheriff's Office reports a train derailed just north of Severne Road in the Town of Milo, Monday, July 25. The incident resulted in train operator Thomas Lewis being transported to Soldiers & Sailors Hospital by ambulance for a possible arm injury.
Yates County Deputies responded along with Himrod and Dresden Fire Departments, Penn Yan Ambulance, Medic 55, Yates County Office of Emergency Management, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and T&R's Spill Response Team to the area.
Upon arrival, it was found that a train engine belonging to Finger Lakes Railway had struck a train derailment apparatus that was purposely placed in that location to accommodate the rail replacement at the intersection of Himrod Road and Rice Road. The derailment caused the train engine (with no cars) to overturn onto its side on the east side of the tracks.
The DEC was requested to the scene for a major spill response of fuel from the engine. T&R Spill Response Team was also activated for help in clean-up.
"Quick work by the DEC spill responders, local emergency officials, and spill response contractors stopped any fuel from a train engine derailment making it into Plum Creek and Seneca Lake," the DEC said in a statement.
"The rollover happened adjacent to a culvert and tributary to Plum Creek," the DEC continued. "The fuel tank was ruptured and product leaked at an estimated 40 to 50 gallons per minute. Spill responders used a special putty to plug the ruptured fuel tank. Absorbent booms and pads were used in the water to contain and collect pooled fuel. A vacuum truck is currently being used to collect much of the spilled fuel. The fuel tank was tapped and the rest of the contents were emptied. The cleanup efforts are continuing and will be closely overseen by DEC."