A CSX freight train ran off the tracks just north of Richmond's Amtrak station early this morning, forcing Amtrak to cancel all service through the area and effecting at least 2,000 travelers.

Officials aren't sure what caused the locomotive and several other cars to derail, but said that no one was hurt and no hazardous materials spilled, said Henrico County Fire Lt. Gary Hutchison.

Crews were called out around 12:30 a.m., Hutchison said, and the regional hazardous incident response team spent about an hour so on the scene making sure nothing leaked because hazardous materials were on the train.

Amtrak uses CSX's rail lines, said Cliff Black, chief corporate communications spokesman.

After emergency crews determined it was safe, they left to allow CSX and Hepaco Company to clean up the mess, Hutchison said.

Black said the accident has forced Amtrak to cancel all or part of seven trains that pass through the area, including trains from Newport News and to Washington, D.C. The Richmond station is located off of Staples Mill Road.

The cancellations have affected between 1,500 and 2,000 travelers, Black said. For travelers en route to destinations, Amtrak provided bus service, he said, but for those who had not boarded, Amtrak was unable to provide alternate transportation.

"Hopefully we will be able to reopen sometime today so we can resume service," Black said.

"These things unfortunately happen occasionally. We wanted to make sure the word got out that service was disrupted between Richmond and Washington so people can check before going to the station."

According to another railroad official familiar with the cleanup effort, the accident site won't be cleared and passable again until very late tonight or in the early morning.

To get the latest update on train service, Amtrak advises calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.