UPDATE: CSX Begins Grain Removal Operations, Track Repairs Continue
Updated: July 7, 2026; 1:30 p.m.
Richmond, VA — CSX crews continue making progress at the derailment site. Repairs to the second damaged track are underway which is expected to be returned to service on July 8. Additionally, crews have begun removing grain from the three cars submerged in the canal, marking the next phase of the recovery effort to prepare for the safe removal of the cars. These efforts are expected to last through the weekend at minimum.
Updates:
- Venture Richmond’s Riverfront Canal Tours have resumed operations. Venture Richmond and CSX remain in close coordination to ensure tours can continue safely until removal of the submerged cars begins.
- Dock Street remains closed from 18th Street to 22nd Street. The Richmond Fire Department and CSX have decreased the size of the closure as work has progressed on restoring the impacted area. E. Main Street and E. Cary Street remain open as alternate routes.
- The Capital Trail remains closed from 18th Street to Pear Street (from Mile Marker 51.2 to Mile Marker 51.7). People walking, biking, or rolling should avoid the area and use E. Cary Street as an alternate route.
- Access to all parking decks and parking lots remains open.
- Train service, both passenger and freight, has resumed on the undamaged track.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Background
On July 3, 2026 at approximately 4:04 p.m., the Richmond Fire Department responded to a freight train derailment near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train derailed into the canal.
No injuries have been reported, and no HAZMAT issues have been reported.
Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website and social media for further information.
###
Updated: July 6, 2026; 2:00 p.m.
Richmond, VA — CSX crews have removed all remaining train cars from the elevated track after a 200-car train derailed late last week. Crews are now working to repair a damaged track, and those repairs are expected to continue into the night and wrap up in the morning on July 7. Should repairs succeed, crews will begin addressing the three cars submerged in the canal no earlier than the morning of July 7 — a process which will likely last through the weekend at minimum.
Updates:
- Dock Street is now closed from 18th Street to 22nd Street. The Richmond Fire Department and CSX have decreased the size of the closure as work has progressed on restoring the impacted area. E. Main Street and E. Cary Street remain open as alternate routes.
- The Capital Trail remains closed from 18th Street to Pear Street (from Mile Marker 51.2 to Mile Marker 51.7). People walking, biking, or rolling should avoid the area and use E. Cary Street as an alternate route.
- Access to all parking decks and parking lots remains open.
- Train service, both passenger and freight, has resumed on the undamaged track.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Background
On July 3, 2026 at approximately 4:04 p.m., the Richmond Fire Department responded to a freight train derailment near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train derailed into the canal.
No injuries have been reported, and no HAZMAT issues have been reported.
Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website ( http://rva.gov ) and social media for further information.
Updated: July 4, 2026; 10:15 a.m.
Residents and visitors reminded to avoid the area
Richmond, VA — Crews led by CSX continue to work on stabilizing two train cars that remain on the elevated tracks following yesterday’s derailment.
Dock Street (from 18th Street to Pear Street) and the Capital Trail (from Mile Marker 51.2 to Mile Marker 51.7) remain closed until further notice.
Users of the Capital Trail are reminded to avoid the area and use E. Cary Street as a detour.
Updated: July 3, 2026; 10:30 p.m.
UPDATE: Detours in Effect While Work Continues on Freight Train Derailment
Richmond, VA — While crews work throughout the night to stabilize the derailed freight train and restore the surrounding site, several changes to traffic patterns are in effect until further notice:
Dock Street is closed from 18th Street to Pear Street. Drivers should use E. Cary Street or E. Main Street.
- The Capital Trail is closed from 18th Street to Pear Street. People walking, riding, or rolling should use E. Cary Street.
- The lower level of the parking lot at 2100 Canal Street is closed. All other parking lots in the area are open and accessible.
City leaders continue to collaborate with appropriate regional, state, and industry agencies and officials to restore the site. The next scheduled update will be tomorrow morning, July 4.
Background
Earlier today, the Richmond Fire Department responded to a freight train derailment that occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m. near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train derailed into the canal.
No injuries have been reported, and no HAZMAT issues have been reported.
Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website ( http://rva.gov ) and social media for further information.
Updated: July 3, 2026; 8:22 p.m.
UPDATE: Dock Street Remains Closed as Crews Work to Stabilize Freight Train
Richmond, VA — Crews from CSX have arrived to the scene of today’s train derailment and are now working restore service to the surrounding area and stabilize two cars still on the elevated tracks.
The cleanup effort has impacted several nearby streets:
- Dock Street from 18th through 22nd Streets will remain closed throughout the night
- The Capital Trail in the impacted area is closed until further notice.
Background
Earlier today, the Richmond Fire Department responded to a freight train derailment that occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m. near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train derailed into the canal and two additional cars remain unstable at this time.
No injuries have been reported, and no HAZMAT issues have been reported.
Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website ( http://rva.gov ) and social media for further information.
Updated: July 3, 2026; 6:00 p.m.
Richmond Fire Department Responds to Freight Train Derailment at Dock and 20th Streets
Richmond, VA — The Richmond Fire Department is responding to a freight[CRAO1] train derailment that occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m., Friday, July 3rd, near the intersection of Dock and 20th Streets. Three train cars out of the approximately 200-car train have derailed into the canal and two additional cars remain unstable at this time. The immediate goal is to stabilize the train.
All cars on this train were carrying grain, and, at this time, no HAZMAT issues have been reported. No injuries have been reported.
Dock Street is closed from 18th to 22nd Streets. Residents should avoid the area and monitor the City’s website and social media for further information.
***
El Departamento de Bomberos de Richmond responde al descarrilamiento de un tren de carga en las calles Dock y 20th
Richmond, VA — El Departamento de Bomberos de Richmond está respondiendo a un descarrilamiento de un tren de carga ocurrido aproximadamente a las 4:04 p. m. del viernes 3 de julio, cerca de la intersección de las calles Dock y 20th.
Tres vagones de un tren de aproximadamente 200 vagones se descarrilaron y cayeron al canal. Además, otros dos vagones permanecen inestables en este momento. El objetivo inmediato de los equipos de emergencia es estabilizar el tren.
Todos los vagones de este tren transportaban grano de maíz y, hasta el momento, no se han reportado materiales peligrosos (HAZMAT) involucrados en el incidente. Tampoco se han reportado personas lesionadas.
La calle Dock permanece cerrada entre las calles 18th y 22nd. Se recomienda a los residentes evitar el área y mantenerse informados a través del sitio web de la Ciudad de Richmond (http://rva.gov) y de las redes sociales oficiales para obtener actualizaciones
