Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Photo: Steve Helber / AP
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Photo: Steve Helber / ASSOCIATED PRESS
NTSB lead investigator, James Southworth, adjusts his glasses as he address the media during a news conference in Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Southworth will lead the investigation into a CSX oil train derailment near downtown yesterday. Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Bill Hayden said state workers smelled oil downstream from the derailment site during a night-time survey. CSX crews and heavy equipment contractors worked to clear more than a dozen derailed train cars, some carrying crude oil. Two cranes were lifting derailed cars and moving them to a new track. less
NTSB lead investigator, James Southworth, adjusts his glasses as he address the media during a news conference in Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Southworth will lead the investigation into a CSX oil ... more
Photo: Steve Helber / AP
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Photo: Steve Helber / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Photo: Steve Helber / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Survey crews launch boats to look over damaged tanker cars as workers remove them along the tracks where they derailed and caught fire Wednesday along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Virginia state officials were still trying Thursday to determine the environmental impact of the train derailment. less
Survey crews launch boats to look over damaged tanker cars as workers remove them along the tracks where they derailed and caught fire Wednesday along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, ... more
Photo: Steve Helber / AP
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Workers remove damaged tankers along the tracks where several CSX crude oil cars derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Photo: Steve Helber / AP
A worker stands by a damaged tanker car that derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Bill Hayden said state workers smelled oil downstream from the derailment site during a night-time survey. CSX crews and heavy equipment contractors worked to clear more than a dozen derailed train cars, some carrying crude oil. Two cranes were lifting derailed cars and moving them to a new track. less
A worker stands by a damaged tanker car that derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Bill Hayden said ... more
Photo: Autumn Parry / AP
A worker stands by damaged tanker cars where several derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Bill Hayden said state workers smelled oil downstream from the derailment site during a night-time survey. CSX crews and heavy equipment contractors worked to clear more than a dozen derailed train cars, some carrying crude oil. Two cranes were lifting derailed cars and moving them to a new track. less
A worker stands by damaged tanker cars where several derailed and caught fire along the James River near downtown Lynchburg, Va., Thursday, May 1, 2014. Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Bill ... more
Photo: AUTUMN PARRY / AP
Several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil were in flames after derailing in downtown Lynchburg, Va., Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
Several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil were in flames after derailing in downtown Lynchburg, Va., Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
Photo: LuAnn Hunt / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Smoke rises after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in Lynchburg, Va. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings Wednesday after the derailment.
Smoke rises after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in Lynchburg, Va. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings Wednesday after the derailment.
Photo: Charles Peters / ASSOCIATED PRESS
People watch smoke rise from a bridge over the James river after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed, Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in Lynchburg, Va. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings Wednesday after the derailment. less
People watch smoke rise from a bridge over the James river after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed, Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in Lynchburg, Va. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings ... more
Photo: Ali Hallock / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Smoke rises after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in Lynchburg, Va. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings Wednesday after the derailment.
Smoke rises after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, in Lynchburg, Va. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings Wednesday after the derailment.
Photo: Charles Peters / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Smoke rises after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed in Lynchburg, Va., from the view on Stumps Hill Road in Madison Heights, Va., Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Authorities evacuated numerous buildings Wednesday after the derailment. less
Smoke rises after several CSX tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed in Lynchburg, Va., from the view on Stumps Hill Road in Madison Heights, Va., Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Authorities evacuated numerous ... more
Photo: Stetson Jenkins / AP
A BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside Aliceville, which is near the Mississippi line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries were reported. less
A BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside ... more
Photo: Dusty Compton / AP
A BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside Aliceville, which is near the Mississippi line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries were reported. less
A BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside ... more
Photo: Dusty Compton / AP
A deer crosses the railroad tracks as a BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside Aliceville, which is near the Mississippi line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries were reported. less
A deer crosses the railroad tracks as a BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in ... more
Photo: Dusty Compton / AP
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The train exploded, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily forcing one family to leave their home. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. less
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The train exploded, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily ... more
Photo: Bill Castle / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The train exploded, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily forcing one family to leave their home. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. less
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The train exploded, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily ... more
Photo: Bill Castle / AP
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The train exploded, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily forcing one family to leave their home. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. less
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. The train exploded, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily ... more
Photo: Bill Castle / AP
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily forcing one family to leave their home. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County which is near the Mississippi/Alabama line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. (AP Photo/Alabama Emergency Management Agency) less
A tanker train carrying crude oil burns after derailing in western Alabama outside Aliceville, Ala., early Friday, sending flames and black smoke into the air and temporarily forcing one family to leave their ... more
Photo: unknown / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside Aliceville, which is near the Mississippi line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries were reported. less
A BNSF train that lost part of its load sits on the tracks near Aliceville, Ala. Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside ... more
Photo: Dusty Compton / AP
Smoke rises from a BNSF train that lost part of its load Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 near Aliceville, Ala. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside Aliceville, which is near the Mississippi line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries were reported. less
Smoke rises from a BNSF train that lost part of its load Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 near Aliceville, Ala. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside ... more
Photo: Dusty Compton / AP
Smoke rises from a BNSF train that lost part of its load Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 near Aliceville, Ala. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside Aliceville, which is near the Mississippi line. A dozen cars derailed and nine were damaged. Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Alabama Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries were reported. less
Smoke rises from a BNSF train that lost part of its load Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 near Aliceville, Ala. Emergency officials said three train cars exploded overnight in Pickens County about four miles outside ... more
Photo: Dusty Compton / AP
A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as some cars on the mile-long train caught fire. less
A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as ... more
Photo: Bruce Crummy / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as some cars on the mile-long train caught fire. less
A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as ... more
Photo: Bruce Crummy / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Smoke rises after a train derailment and fire west of Casselton, N.D., Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. No one has been reported hurt in the derailment or fire. By late Monday afternoon, the smoke plume was diminishing and was staying mostly away from town. less
Smoke rises after a train derailment and fire west of Casselton, N.D., Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. No one has been reported hurt in the derailment or fire. By late Monday afternoon, the smoke plume was diminishing ... more
Photo: Ken Pawluk / Cass County Commissioner/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The water tower in Casselton, N.D., is covered with soot, early Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, from an oil train derailment and explosion on Monday afternoon.
The water tower in Casselton, N.D., is covered with soot, early Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, from an oil train derailment and explosion on Monday afternoon.
Photo: Dave Kolpack / AP
A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as some cars on the mile-long train caught fire. less
A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as ... more
Photo: Bruce Crummy / AP
Smoke rises after a train derailment and fire west of Casselton, N.D., Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. No one has been reported hurt in the derailment or fire. By late Monday afternoon, the smoke plume was diminishing and was staying mostly away from town. less
Smoke rises after a train derailment and fire west of Casselton, N.D., Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. No one has been reported hurt in the derailment or fire. By late Monday afternoon, the smoke plume was diminishing ... more
Photo: Ken Pawluk / AP
In a screenshot from video provided by Darrin Rademacher, a fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton Monday afternoon. Several explosions were reported as some cars on the mile-long train caught fire. less
In a screenshot from video provided by Darrin Rademacher, a fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment Monday, Dec 30, 2013, in Casselton, N.D. The train carrying crude oil derailed near Casselton ... more
Photo: Darrin Rademacher / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A fire from a train derailment burns uncontrollably as seen in this aerial photograph Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, west of Casselton, N.D. No one has been reported hurt in the derailment or fire. By late Monday afternoon, the smoke plume was diminishing and was staying mostly away from town. less
A fire from a train derailment burns uncontrollably as seen in this aerial photograph Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, west of Casselton, N.D. No one has been reported hurt in the derailment or fire. By late Monday ... more
Photo: Michael Vosburg / The Forum/ASSOCIATED PRESS
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says the crew’s actions, the train’s equipment or speed did not likely contribute to the fiery derailment of an oil train in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia.
During a Friday press conference, safety officials said the investigation and cleanup following Wednesday’s derailment are continuing.
Investigator Jim Southworth says 17 train cars carrying crude oil derailed, with three tumbling into the James River.
Parts of downtown were evacuated as one car caught fire, briefly causing large flames and thick, black smoke.
It was the most recent crash involving oil trains that has safety experts pushing for better oversight.
Officials say no defects have been found in the trains or the track signals. He also says no problems were seen in the procedures that the train’s crew followed.
