CSX crews had removed all but three train cars from the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore Wednesday morning, as the cleanup of a 13-car derailment stretched into a third day.
Seven cars were placed back on the rails and taken out of the tunnel overnight; the most recent was removed through the south end about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle said.
"Our crews made great progress overnight," he said.
The train derailed early Monday morning just north of the tunnel and grinded to a halt inside. No one was injured, but responders took extra precautions in dealing with it because the freight train contained acetone, a flammable chemical used in paint thinner and nail polish remover.
The removal of the last few cars, which contain residual amounts of liquefied petroleum gas, is expected to conclude by the end of the week, but Doolittle declined to provide a more exact timeline.
"Each car is in a unique position and needs unique attention to move it safety," he said.
The three remaining, he said, "will be the focus of our attention throughout today until they're back on the rails."
Fifty CSX workers and contractors, as well as representatives from the Fire Department and other agencies remain on the scene at Mount Royal Station in Bolton Hill.
"We appreciate residents' patience as we work to right the situation, and we promise to do it as quickly as safety allows," Doolittle said.
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