13-Car Train Derailment in Michigan Causes Multi-Day Road Closures

Early this morning, 13 train cars jumped the tracks in Pittsfield Township, and by mid-morning the scene looked like something out of a movie. Crews in neon vests were scattered along the rail line near Marton Road, walking the tracks, inspecting the damage, and trying to piece together what happened. Around 10 a.m., you could still hear the low humming and clicking coming from parts of the train that had not completely settled.

Where the Pittsfield Township Train Derailed

MLive reports that the derailment happened around 5 a.m. in the 5500 block of Marton Road. Some of the cars, including the engine, were still sitting on or partially on the tracks. Others were tipped and twisted farther down the line, like a set of dominoes that did not quite fall in order.

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The good news? No one was hurt, and no cars were involved. Officials say none of the train cars were carrying hazardous materials, which is a huge sigh of relief for people who live nearby.

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One longtime resident, 79-year-old Carl Ticnor, has lived near the tracks for more than five decades. He said he did not even hear this one happen. And surprisingly, he says derailments are not all that unusual in the area. Not exactly comforting, but definitely interesting.

Road Closures Near Marton Road

If you are in the area, expect some headaches. Payeur Road between State Street and Marton Road is closed and could stay that way for several days. Morgan Road between Venture Drive and Stone School Road is also shut down while crews clean things up.

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The Ann Arbor Railroad typically hauls everything from auto parts to flour and cement along that stretch. So while this one did not cause injuries, it is going to take some time to untangle the mess.