Train derailment in Cumberland draws crowds, closes streets

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WLNE) — A train derailment in Cumberland led to street closures throughout town Thursday.

While moving at slow speeds on the evening of May 28, the train, which was carrying vehicles and plastic pallets, derailed in Valley Falls.

No on was hurt.

Members of the neighborhood they were used to noise from the trains at night, and thought nothing was out of the ordinary until they looked outside.

“We went to sleep, quietest night we’ve ever had around this area, because no trains, but yeah, then we woke up this morning and we saw that it was still off the track,” Wesley Garvin said.
They saw tracks bent upwards, as well as tape and traffic cones keeping spectators from getting too close.

The derailment attracted train enthusiasts as well as passerby who wanted to see what the excitement was about.

“I just came across it this morning, pretty much bringing my girlfriend to work as usual,” Gadiel DeJesus said. “It just came across this morning, kind of surprising.”

Cranes arrived from New York to help clear the tracks and reopen the intersection, and ended with train cars split in half.