Amtrak adjusts Richmond-Newport News service as New Kent train derailment repairs continue

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Amtrak passengers traveling between Richmond and Newport News should expect additional schedule changes following the train derailment in New Kent County in October.

According to a Nov. 6 social post, Amtrak announced further adjustments to the Richmond Main Street Station-Newport News service due to ongoing repair work, which is expected to be completed before Saturday, Nov. 8.

Train No. 67, scheduled for Nov. 6, will operate normally to Newport News on Friday, Nov. 7, while Train 186 of Nov. 7 will start from Newport News and run as scheduled to Philadelphia, per Amtrak.

These new updates follow earlier cancellations -- including Trains Nos. 96, 99 and 124, which were canceled until further notice in an Oct. 26 social post.

The disruptions come after the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office reported that a train carrying 53 coal cars and two locomotives derailed between Roxbury Road and South Mountcastle Road on Oct. 25. The incident caused coal to spill into the wetlands area, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriee Bowman, a spokesperson with CSX Police -- the main investigating agency -- provided an update this week, explaining that crews will continue to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on response efforts.

"Our primary focus continues to be on the health and safety of onsite staff and personnel, the surrounding community, and mitigating potential risk to the environment," Bowman said. "We are committed to recovering the remaining equipment and product, repairing our infrastructure, and completely restoring the area."

As of the time of reporting, Bowman said there is no confirmed timeline for restoration of the rail line.