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See video: Third train derailment this year near Horseshoe Curve, investigators looking into cause

Norfolk Southern says 12 railcars derailed at the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.
Zach Rudisill
/
Rudy's Rail Adventures
Norfolk Southern says 12 railcars derailed at the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.

Federal investigators are looking into the cause of a train derailment Tuesday at the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, which marks the third time a derailment happened this year at or near the national historic landmark.

The moment of the derailment was captured on a “Virtual Railfan” livestream, where you can see 12 railcars go off the track.

Crews worked overnight to get the railcars back on track. A Norfolk Southern spokesperson said no hazardous materials were released and that all tracks are expected to be back in service sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Still, officials with the Railroaders Memorial Museum, which owns and operates the property at the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, closed the area on Wednesday.

This is the third time this year a train has derailed near the Horseshoe Curve. The first derailment happened on February 6 with about 65 railcars derailed. The second derailment happened on March 7 with 17 railcars going off the tracks.

Norfolk Southern says there were no injuries reported in any of the derailments.

The National Safety Transportation Board is investigating the cause of the most recent derailment.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman posted to social media that his office is talking with local officials to get more information.

"Another sad reminder of why we need stronger rail safety standards and laws to hold railroads accountable, especially after the disaster in East Palestine," Fetterman said.

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Sydney Roach is an award-winning reporter and host for WPSU since 2023. Before working in public media, she worked two years as a News Producer at WTAJ-TV. She can be reached at sydroach@psu.edu.