Rail line finally reopens following derailment

VICKSBURG — Freight trains can again reach International Paper’s Vicksburg Mill.

The Vicksburg Post reports the tracks reopened over the weekend.

On Dec. 12, a train pulling 30 freight cars carrying rolls of paper left the tracks and caught fire near U.S. 61 North and Mississippi 3. There were no injuries.

International Paper has been getting supplies by 18-wheeler since the incident. IP produces linear board at its Vicksburg plant.

Darrell Thompson, the general manager of Vicksburg Southern Railroad, which operates the north-south line, says crews got the rail line fixed a week ahead of schedule.

The track is leased to VSR by the Kansas City Southern railway and is used only by IP to get paper and material to and from the mill.