http://www.abc27.com/news/stories/1006/371615.html
Hershey, Dauphin County - The Federal Railroad Administration has completed its investigation into a train derailment in Hershey on July 5th, and concluded the accident was caused by improper handling of the train's brakes.
Thirteen cars of the Norfolk-Southern freight train jumped the tracks near HersheyPark's Zoo America. Seven cars contained hazardous materials. Although no dangerous chemicals were released, concerns over an overturned chlorine tanker caused the evacuation of 40 people from 14 homes and closed a portion of Derry Road for the next two days.The report from the Federal Railroad Administration says the 71st car in the train, an empty flat car, derailed when the train was stopped on the main track. When the train began moving again about two hours later, it proceeded about a mile with the wheels of the 71st car following along the base of the rail.Investigators say a Norfolk-Southern crew saw the derailed car and radioed operators to stop it. Before the operators could react, however, the 71st car hit the crossover switches and 12 more cars derailed, with four cars on their side including the one loaded with chlorine.The FRA says the crew of operators who were controlling the train as it arrived in Hershey misused the train's automatic and locomotive air brakes, causing it to leave the tracks as it was brought to a stop. It added that the derailment may not have occured of the empty flat car had been placed closer to the rear of the train.
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