Two mile stretch of railroad track and one trestle are getting a makeover

Work continued Tuesday morning on top of the North 13th Street underpass.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – What appeared as a mission nearly impossible to the average eye is quickly being transformed into mission possible by CSX crews and their supporting cast following Saturday’s train derailment.

The West Central Avenue crossing is where the first cars off the track were noticed just before 10:30 Saturday morning.

The around the clock repairs were going full speed ahead in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, a little before three o’clock. You could see the lights ahead of the sounds associated with the dropping of cross ties, the hammering of rail and beeps of equipment in reverse.

This portion of the project is underway behind the West End Marathon gas station.

From the Ivydale trestle to the South Avenue crossing, about a two mile stretch of track is getting lots of attention in addition to the trestle where it’s believed Saturday morning’s troubles began for a southbound CSX train. The train comprised of 102 cars began coming off the track, less than 10 cars, while crossing and soon after crossing the more than 50-feet high trestle that sits on the north end of La Follette.

Progress continues on the West Central Avenue crossing which suffered a lot of the brunt of the derailment damage.

The first CSX officials on the scene, around mid-day Saturday, estimated the repairs to the critical rail route would take about four days. As of this morning, officials seem confident that goal will be met, if not sooner. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/28/2024-6AM)

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