Rail cars are moving again along Route 289 between Struthers and Lowellville. A derailment of Norfolk Southern train just before midnight in New Castle, Pa., backed up other trains, blocking crossings in other towns. The crossings are being cleared this hour. (Staff photo / Guy Vogrin)

LOWELLVILLE — Clearing of tracks in Lowellville and Struthers is underway at this hour after a train derailment in New Castle, Pa., blocked rails, bringing both train and automotive traffic to a standstill.

After being impassible all morning, automotive traffic is flowing over crossings.

A statement early this morning from Norfolk Southern states: “At 11:57 p.m. Wednesday evening, nine cars derailed outside of New Castle, Pa. There were no hazardous materials involved, and no injuries have been reported. Our crews responded immediately and are actively working at the site.”

Officials on the scene said that one car is carrying soybeans and the rest are empty. No injuries were reported.

The tracks are on a bridge over the Mahoning River, near Montgomery Avenue and Lafayette Street.

Because other trains couldn’t pass, they sat, which blocked crossings in nearby towns.

The derailment comes amid heightened attention to rail safety nationwide after a fiery derailment in February of Norfolk Southern railcars in East Palestine, Ohio. Half of the town’s 5,000 residents were evacuated as emergency responders burned off chemicals to prevent an uncontrolled explosion.

The company has renewed a promise to create a fund for residents near the site of that wreck to cover any decline in home values since the derailment.