Neither police on scene nor the train’s driver knew what had caused the derailment, which left several train cars in an adjacent ditch and one car toppled completely on its side.

Nobody was hurt in the incident, and the derailment caused no hazardous material exposure, police said.

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The load — one of several train runs that pass on the track each day — was headed for the Tawas City area, according to the driver, who said she felt a tug before the train came to a sudden stop when the train left its tracks.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Police examine the scene of a train derailment in Alpena Township on Wednesday.

The driver speculated that removal of the train and a repair to the twisted and separated rails would take several days.

Police were alerted to the incident when nearby residents, on Lowell Road, called 911 to report they had heard the crash of the train cars.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Firefighters and police examine the scene of a train derailment in Alpena Township on Wednesday.