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Published Sunday, February 13, 2000, in the Miami Herald

Chemical spill closes Fort Lauderdale train station

BY WANDA J. DeMARZO wdemarzo@herald.com

A chemical leaking from a CSX tanker shut down a Fort Lauderdale train station Saturday, delaying hundreds of people and at least seven trains.

The leak of lacolene, a petroleum byproduct used in paint and lacquer, shut down the station at Southwest 21st Terrace just south of Broward Boulevard at 3 p.m. Fort Lauderdale hazardous material workers said about 20 gallons leaked from the car.

One Amtrak train and six Tri-Rail trains -- three northbound and three southbound -- were delayed. The incident occurred on the CSX freight tracks. How many CSX trains were affected could not immediately be determined.

Passengers waiting for Tri-Rail and Amtrak trains were moved about 300 yards away from the tanker and later bused to stations north and south of the incident. Firefighters and hazardous materials personnel cleaned up the leak in just over four hours.

Terry Hammond drove into the train station about 6 p.m. Saturday, expecting to pick up his cousin Mary, only to learn her train was sitting just outside the city and would be for several hours.

``I have no idea what is going on and when I can pick up my cousin,'' said Hammond, of Fort Lauderdale. ``This is very frustrating because we were supposed to perform at a local nightclub at 8 p.m.''

Dean Roberts of Liverpool, England, who was supposed to catch a 5:08 train to New York, took the delay in stride. ``I've been lying here in the grass enjoying the Florida sun,'' he said. ``Hey, why stress about things you can't control?''

Several hundred Tri-Rail passengers were affected by the spill, said Lauren Krugman, Tri-rail spokeswoman.

Tri-Rail passengers were bused to other stations to reboard.

Krugman said all trains would be back on schedule today.

Copyright 2000 Miami Herald

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-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 13, 2000