By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LAUREL, Ind. - Train operators and federal authorities say cold weather is the likely cause of a broken rail that caused a holiday train to derail, slide from the tracks and tip sideways.

A snapped rail is being cited as the cause of Saturday's derailment. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Warren Flatau said the agency is finished investigating the Saturday night accident on the sightseeing rail line, which left more than two dozen people injured, including 10 who were treated at a hospital and released.

"We do know that the derailment was caused by a broken rail," he said. "This was a case where the rail was a bit fatigued. ... It could have been exacerbated by climate extremities and things like that."

The Whitewater Valley Railroad had been following federal regulations, he said. The sightseeing line is inspected weekly, according to railroad vice president Estill Day, by people who drive the route looking for defects.

While the holiday train should be back in service Saturday, Mr. Day said Monday it was too early to determine if the derailment will have any long-term effect on the railroad, including a higher insurance premium.

"We just don't know at this point," he said. "We hope not, but we just don't know."

The railroad's last derailment, a minor one, was about three years ago in another section of the 16-mile route, he said.

On Saturday, the rail broke as the 14-car train crossed over it, causing two of the cars to slide five to 10 feet off the track. A tree stopped one of the cars from overturning and falling about 30 to 40 feet into a canal.

The sold-out train was bound for the annual Christmas Walk in Metamora, a four-weekend event that attracts about 200,000 tourists - many from the Greater Cincinnati area - to more than 100 country-themed shops and turn-of-the-century attractions.

While Mr. Day said the railroad is insured, he declined to discuss its premium or coverage totals.

But typically, insurance premiums will rise depending on the amount of claims, said Guy Marino, general manager of the Turtle Creek & Lebanon Railway.

The insurance premium for the Warren County tourist attraction "is in excess of $55,000." The 30-minute train ride runs from May through December, and draws about 30,000 people annually.

Whitewater Valley Railroad's train operates on weekends from Thanksgiving through Christmas, and from May to October for shopping, events and school tours.

"There is an astronomical cost to running a railroad, period," Mr. Marino said. "Tourist railroads have a hard time because of the extreme liabilities, so most of them are carrying high deductibles."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com