ELGIN, Ill., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A train derailment near Elgin, Ill., Thursday morning shut down Metra commuter rail service on the Milwaukee West Line to Chicago, officials said.
At least 12 cars, three of which caught fire, of a Canadian National freight train derailed in an industrial area near Elgin, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Officials say the train was carrying sodium hydroxide, ferrous sulfate and organic acid. There were no injuries and no evacuations were ordered.
Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said service on the Milwaukee West Line has been halted between Bartlett, Ill., and Chicago until the crash is cleared, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
"It appears that the service disruption may be lengthy," Metra said on its Web site. "At this time, no train traffic can move through the area and we have no indication as to when service will resume. We advise all Milwaukee West line customers to seek alternate transportation."
Metra is encouraging commuters who rely on the Milwaukee West Line to use the Union Pacific West or Union Pacific Northwest Lines
Gillis said the North Central Service, which intersects the Milwaukee Line, was running normally.
