WENDELL — No injuries were reported after a freight train carrying merchandise derailed in Wendell Tuesday afternoon, knocking 15 railroad cars off the track, according to Wendell Fire Chief Joe Cuneo.

At approximately 3:45 p.m., the westbound train, which Wendell Police Sgt. Steven Gould said was operated by two engineers from Berkshire and Eastern Railroad, derailed near Farley Road. Gould said at approximately 5 p.m. that both engineers were still in the front car, unharmed.

“We’re just grateful there were no injuries,” Gould said, adding that no hazardous materials were involved. “Everybody’s OK — it’s a just a big mess.”

The derailment prompted a regional emergency response that included police and firefighters from Wendell, Erving, Greenfield, Orange and New Salem. Greenfield Police’s Special Operations Unit also responded and operated a drone over the freight cars.

Railroad investigators on scene did not comment on the cause of the derailment, nor the speed at which the train was traveling. According to Cuneo, the train struck a power transformer nearby, but it did not appear to cause “any significant outages.”

Cuneo added that the process of removing the derailed cars by crane will likely be time-consuming and that first responders will prioritize clearing and opening roadways.

“That transformer looks like it might just feed two properties and I can see the light on in that one up there,” Cuneo said, pointing to a neighboring house.

Gould mentioned a “train enthusiast” was seen photographing or videotaping the train moments before the derailment, but he did not believe the spectator captured the derailment on video.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.