KCS derailment delays Texas freight trains

North American railroad Kansas City Southern (KCS) said rail freight on its primary line north of Houston will be delayed by clean-up of a derailment earlier today in Mauriceville, Texas, north of Beaumont.

The derailment occurred along KCS's main eastern Texas route which runs south from Shreveport, Louisiana, through to Houston, Texas, and further south towards its cross-border interchange into Mexico.

No timeline for the line to reopen has been established, KCS said. The railroad said crews are at the site of the derailment and are making assessments needed to repair the line as quickly as possible.

The situation may last at least 20-28 hours, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said at 6pm ET.

There were no injuries caused by the derailment but the sheriff's office has established a one-mile perimeter around the accident site. That area may be reduced to one-half mile within a few hours.

The cause of the derailment is being investigated. A total 25 cars derailed, including 10 loaded and 15 unloaded railcars.

A non-hazardous petroleum-based byproduct leaked from four of the cars, the sheriff's office said.

KCS told customers that freight may be delayed even after the line reopens because a backlog of trains has built up.

By Abby Caplan