Freight train derailment in Ayer leaves several cars toppled

AYER – A freight train derailed in Ayer on Thursday morning, leaving traffic delays on the roads and on the tracks.

Ayer train derailment

It happened around 9 a.m. in the area of Groton-Harvard Road. Video from the scene showed nine train cars off the track and toppled onto their sides.

According to the Ayer Fire Department, the cars were unloaded lumber cars.

The Ayer Police Department said the train derailed in the railyard, leaving cars unable to cross the train tracks in the area.

As a result, drivers are asked to avoid Groton-Harvard Road at Central Ave. and at East Main Street.

Representatives from the railroad told the fire department that the grade crossing at Groton-Harvard Road was impacted and impassable for a period of about an hour.

The remainder of cars in the railyard will take "an extended period" to be removed. Work is expected to begin late Thursday afternoon once the proper equipment arrives from Albany, New York.

Commuter Rail delays

Several Fitchburg Line Commuter Rail trains were delayed because of the disabled freight train.

After a short time, the Commuter Rail said trains were able to get around the derailment.

No one was hurt during the derailment and no hazardous materials were involved.

Past Ayer train derailments

In March 2023, a train derailed about a quarter-mile away from the site of Thursday's incident. That derailment happened in the area of Sculley Road.

Crews spent several days cleaning up after that derailment.  Five rail cars carrying 10 containers went off the tracks during the 2023 incident.

No one was hurt during that derailment, which involved a train owned by CSX.

One neighbor who lived in the area at the time said that was the third derailment he remembered in about 50 years.