November trial date set in Paulsboro derailment case

CAMDEN, N.J. -- The first trial related to a train derailment that released a dangerous chemical in Paulsboro, New Jersey nearly three years ago has been set for Nov. 16.

U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler on Friday set the new date after previously delaying the trial that was set to start this week as the two sides worked toward settlements.

More than 200 plaintiffs sued CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway Co., Conrail and others in federal court over the November 2012 derailment on a bridge.

Much of Paulsboro was evacuated in the aftermath of the spill.

The National Transportation Safety Board found last year that systemic errors led to the derailment, and it criticized the emergency response as "chaos."

Thousands of people also have related complaints in state court.