VIDEO: Investigation underway in train derailment

An investigation is underway by the Federal Railroad Administration, Metro-North Railroad and CSX into the derailment of a CSX freight train south of Beacon that is expected to delay Metro-North passenger service today, Sunday.

Two cars that were part of an 86-car freight train derailed at 2:15 a.m. Saturday but did not cause any injuries, spills or problems with fuel, according to officials. Metro-North passengers today can expect delays, but service is expected to return to normal for the Monday morning commute, according to Meredith Daniels, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates Metro-North.

Mike England, a spokesman for the FRA, said his agency's investigation could last a few weeks to a year, although inquiries typically take six months to complete.

Though it involved a freight train, Saturday's derailment could heighten concern over rail safety for those who travel on Metro-North trains between Dutchess County and New York City. CSX freight trains and Metro-North passenger trains use the same Hudson Line tracks, which are owned by Metro-North. And Saturday's derailment follows accidents — two of which caused fatalities — involving Metro-North trains over recent years.

One of those incidents occurred in December 2013. A Metro-North train traveling south on the Hudson Line went off the tracks in the Bronx, killing four people, including a Marist College graduate. Dozens were injured, including several Dutchess County residents.

According to Daniels, the train that derailed on Saturday was carrying construction debris; the derailment involved cars 12 and 13, which remained upright; and the train, with an engineer and conductor, consisted of 68 empty and 18 loaded cars. The train stopped within sight of the Beacon train station. The response was handled by Metro-North.

All of the cars on the derailed train were hauled away on the tracks Saturday and crews from Metro-North began repairing tracks one and three, which were damaged, Daniels said. Repairs were scheduled to continue overnight and today. Trains are using track two.

Kristin Seay, a spokeswoman for CSX, did not know how fast the train that derailed was traveling; how the crew realized the cars had derailed; where the derailment occurred; the last time a derailment occurred; and how often CSX freight trains travel in Dutchess County. The train originated in the Bronx and was headed to Selkirk, in Albany County.

Metro-North Railroad notified Dutchess County of the derailment Saturday morning, according to County Executive Marc Molinaro. The county stayed in contact with Town of Fishkill Supervisor Robert LaColla and City of Beacon Mayor Randy Casale.

"We are grateful the accident did not result in any injuries," Molinaro said in a statement.

John W. Barry: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo