Norfolk Southern Railway announced that it intends to renovate and donate its historic East Palestine train depot as part of the railroad’s response following the catastrophic train derailment earlier this year.
Norfolk Southern said it will restore and upgrade the exterior of the building. The railway giant will turn the interior into a blank space so the community may shape the future development of this property according to its own vision. To help the village continue to improve the facility, Norfolk Southern will donate $100,000.
According to Kristin Wong, Norfolk Southern’s director of corporate giving, she found early on in discussions with the village that it wanted to own and determine future plans for this train depot.
“Norfolk Southern understands the historical significance this train depot represents to the community. As I’ve talked with those who live in East Palestine, I heard early on that they wanted to own and determine the future of this central building. Today, we’re partnering together to make that happen. We’re committed to making things right in East Palestine, and it is a privilege to donate this train depot to the community and to watch what it will become next,” Wong said.
The depot was constructed in the 1890s but has remained dormant over several decades. When Norfolk Southern bought the rail line that passes through East Palestine in 1998, the company also acquired the historic train depot.
Wong said that the restoration of this historical site marks a significant step in the village’s mission to reinvigorate the neighborhood while maintaining and honoring its rich legacy. The railroad depot has a key location inside the neighborhood of East Palestine, close to the downtown center on Market Street.
According to Wong, donating this historic train depot to the East Palestine community is an honor.
“East Palestine should be proud of their history with the railroad industry. We are honored to donate this train depot to the community as a symbol of that history,” she said.
Norfolk Southern plans to start renovations in late August or early September and expects the project to be completed by the summer of 2024, according to a company press release.
This is the latest commitment that Norfolk Southern has made to the community in response to the February 3rd derailment. The railway giant recently signed a two-year lease agreement for a new, closer, and more permanent Family Assistance Center (FAC) at Rebecca’s Place to replace the current center at the Abundant Life Fellowship Church. The FAC will be an accessible, long-term resource for questions, concerns, and assistance.
On February 3rd, 50 train carriages, 10 of which were carrying hazardous materials, derailed as a result of a technical problem with a rail car axle, according to federal authorities. There was vinyl chloride in five of the vehicles. Hundreds of residents evacuated due to the controlled release of poisonous gasses that Norfolk Southern carried out on February 6th to stop an explosion.
Officials told East Palestine residents on February 8th that they could safely go home, despite the reports of hundreds of dead fish in the Ohio River near East Palestine and residents complaining of headaches and illness since the derailment.
Despite assurances from government officials that they are safe, many members of the community said they are fearful and nervous about their exposure to the chemicals. They said they are concerned about air quality and drinking water. Some residents stayed in hotels until officials convinced them their homes were safe.
Norfolk Southern faces a lawsuit from Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost over costs for the cleanup of the toxic chemical spill and environmental damage, even as they collaborate to establish funds for resident health care, property value issues, and water protections. The federal government is also suing the railroad.
Norfolk Southern is also facing a special investigation launched by the National Transportation Safety Board that it said will look into the company’s organization and safety.
An update from Norfolk Southern says it will continue excavating the north track area. Crews have sampled the ‘centerline’ area between the north and south tracks and are awaiting results to determine if they need to excavate further.
According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Norfolk Southern has hauled approximately 19.3 million gallons of liquid wastewater out of East Palestine. There is currently a pile of approximately 14,400 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 51,100 tons that Norfolk Southern has removed.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Norfolk Southern Train” by Jim Bauer. CC BY-ND 2.0.
