Maplesville Train Derailment: Norfolk Southern Track Reopens After Cleanup Norfolk Southern trains are running again in Maplesville after a Thursday derailment, but cleanup of eight cars and visible damage continues with no set timeline. Trains are running again through Maplesville, Alabama, after a Norfolk Southern train derailed Thursday morning, leaving a mess that crews are still working to clean up. The track was expected to be back in service, and trains have been seen and heard operating again. The derailment could be heard throughout the town when it happened. Witnesses Describe the Maplesville DerailmentBrian Beckham and Raymond Abbott were among those who saw the derailment occur. Beckham said it was like a bomb went off and dust went flying. Abbott said the wreckage piled up so fast that onlookers only had to pay attention until it was over.Beckham and Abbott said that earlier in the day, they noticed a piece of track missing over the crossing. Norfolk Southern said the crossing was damaged by a low-clearance vehicle operating over the track just before the train arrived.Beckham said he saw about two feet of track missing. He called the town clerk, who tried to call dispatch at Norfolk Southern. After about 20 minutes, another train came through, and that was it, he said.Cleanup Continues After Eight Cars DerailedCrews have been working to clean up the wreckage. Damage remains visible, and a smell remains at the site from the eight cars that derailed. Maplesville Mayor W.C. Hayes Jr. said he is impressed with how quickly crews fixed the track and hopes to see the same pace with the cleanup.According to the sheriff’s office, there is no timeline for when the cleanup will be finished. Hayes said he thinks it will take another couple of weeks, perhaps by next weekend. He noted that crews had surprised him by having the track ready in one night.Town Adjusts Homecoming Parade RouteThe town held its homecoming parade the same day as the derailment. The parade route was adjusted so residents could still take part in the annual tradition despite the derailment.Norfolk Southern said the crossing was damaged by a low-clearance vehicle operating over the track just before the train arrived. The train derailed Thursday morning, and the track was back in service shortly after. Residents and officials continue to monitor the cleanup progress.