Norfolk Southern back on track after Bethlehem derailment, cause still under investigation | Lehigh Valley Regional News

Norfolk Southern said the cause of a train derailment that occurred Friday afternoon over the Lehigh River in Bethlehem is still under investigation.

Norfolk Southern said the track near the Hill-to-Hill Bridge was reopened for service Saturday morning.

According to the Bethlehem Fire Department, four to five railroad cars derailed and were on the bridge over the Lehigh River, and two more had come off the tracks at the end of the bridge.

Firefighters said all of the derailed cars were empty and the river was neither involved nor affected. No one was injured.

“It was about early afternoon. I heard this really loud noise, it lasted about a couple of seconds and I didn’t know what it was,” said Greg Mahon, a neighbor.

According to the fire department, the train consisted of 125 cars.

Two of the wagons contained hazardous substances, but according to the fire department they did not belong to the group of derailed wagons.

According to the fire department, none of the hazardous materials vehicles were damaged and there were no leaks or spills.

This incident occurred just months after a massive derailment in neighboring Lower Saucon Township. That March derailment saw two Norfolk Southern locomotives plunge into the Lehigh River and numerous rail cars derail.

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the March derailment. As for Friday’s derailment, the NTSB said it was not involved.