CSX Conductor Killed in Alabama Derailment; Federal Probe Launched

CSX conductor killed in Alabama derailment after a collision. Federal investigation probes safety protocols and track clearance, impacting operational procedures and oversight.

January 21, 2026 5:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

A CSX conductor was killed in a collision and derailment near Calera, Alabama, during a rail car shoving operation.
The collision occurred when the car the conductor was riding struck another car left fouling the main track.
The incident triggers a federal investigation into CSX’s operational procedures, specifically track clearance rules and safety oversight.

CALERA, AL – A CSX conductor died in an early-morning collision and derailment on December 13, 2025, after the rail car the conductor was riding on collided with a stationary car left on an adjacent track. The incident, which occurred at 2:13 a.m. local time, resulted in three derailed cars and has prompted an investigation into the railroad’s safety protocols.

Category	Specification / Detail
Incident Type	Collision and Derailment
Operator	CSX Transportation
Location	Milepost 421.5, S&NA Subdivision, near Calera, AL
Date & Time	December 13, 2025, at 2:13 a.m. Local Time
Fatalities	1 (CSX Conductor)
Equipment Involved	3 derailed rail cars

Operational & Technical Details

The fatal accident occurred during a switching operation. The conductor was riding on a rail car being shoved from a main track into an auxiliary track. That moving car then collided with a second rail car. The second car had been previously cut from the train and left on the main track. The impact caused three cars to derail. The car carrying the conductor overturned, resulting in the fatality.

Market Impact Analysis

The incident places CSX’s operational safety procedures under immediate scrutiny. The subsequent investigation will focus on the carrier’s rules for leaving equipment clear of adjacent tracks, a fundamental safety principle in rail operations. Findings could lead to federally mandated changes in CSX’s hazard mitigation strategies and crew training. The event highlights operational risks in switching, potentially influencing insurance costs and regulatory oversight for CSX and other Class I railroads.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What was the direct cause of the collision?

A rail car being shoved into an auxiliary track struck a second rail car that had been left on the main track.

What are the key focus areas of the investigation?

The investigation will center on CSX’s rules for ensuring tracks are clear, its hazard identification strategies, and both internal and external safety oversight.