Take our poll: Will Charlotte train derailment change whether you ride or not?

Interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle on Monday told the Charlotte City Council a Blue Line train derailed in May 2022 — a previously undisclosed incident.

The derailment occurred after a northbound Blue Line train stopped at the Woodlawn station on its usual route on May 21, CATS spokesman Brandon Hunter said. With 24 passengers on board, the train was on its way to the Scaleybark station when a wheel on a middle car came off of the tracks. The train traveled 1,206 feet before stopping. The train car remained on the tracks even as one of its wheels hung off, a photo of the incident shows.

All passengers got off safely, and one passenger requested a medical evaluation on the scene.

To fix the issue, CATS says it will repair all Blue Line train cars, reduce speeds to 35 mph and install temperature strips to each car.

We want to hear from you! How will the derailment affect your transit ridership habits?

Josh Bergeron

The Charlotte Observer

704-412-1782

Josh Bergeron is the government editor at The Charlotte Observer. Previously, he was the editor of the Salisbury Post in Salisbury, N.C. and worked as an editor and reporter at newspapers in North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi. He’s a proud LSU alumnus — Geaux Tigers.