Managing Emergency Cleanup After a Coal Train Derailment

Knowing that time is critical in the aftermath of a derailment, the rail company relied on our proven expertise in large-scale emergency response and recovery operations in the aggregate processing industry.

Challenges

• Managing a widespread impacted area.
• Responding to a time-sensitive rail disruption.
• Dealing with potential environmental threats to surrounding land and waterways.

Our Approach

Rapid Deployment of Emergency Crew

• West Side Salvage dispatched a fully certified team as quickly as possible.
• Crews arrived equipped with a mobile command center to coordinate logistics, safety, and communication on-site.

Material Recovery & Environmental Protection

• Coal was separated from ballast and contaminated soil using advanced screening and handling methods.
• Spill containment protocols were followed to protect surrounding land and waterways from environmental damage.

Stakeholder Coordination & Site Restoration

• West Side communicated regularly with the rail company and landowners to ensure transparency and alignment.
• The site was fully restored to its original condition, with rail operations resumed.

Outcome & Customer Benefit

• Crews arrived as quickly as possible and worked efficiently, minimizing rail service downtime.
• Salvaged coal was preserved, and environmental impact was mitigated.
• Landowners and the rail company were kept informed throughout, resulting in minimal disruption and high satisfaction.

Conclusion

West Side’s response to the train derailment demonstrated our ability to act swiftly, operate with precision, and maintain strict safety and regulatory standards. From initial containment to final site restoration, our team ensured minimal disruption to rail operations and surrounding properties. This case reinforces the critical role of having a highly trained emergency response partner with the tools, certifications, and experience needed to manage large-scale transportation incidents effectively.