On November 2, 2022, an Illinois Central Railroad (IC) freight train derailed at Milepost 410.1 on the Baton Rouge Subdivision in Paulina, Louisiana, resulting in eight hazardous material (HAZMAT) cars derailing. One car was punctured, leaking approximately 19,500 gallons of Hydrochloric Acid, which necessitated an emergency response from multiple local and state agencies. The incident caused $247,616 in damages and led to a 1,000-foot evacuation zone affecting 500 residents. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) identified the primary cause of the derailment as track alignment issues, specifically a track buckle, with a contributing factor being the failure to adhere to the IC’s Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) plan. The release of Hydrochloric Acid intensified the severity of the incident. Further investigation revealed no operational deficiencies, but significant issues with track maintenance and adherence to CWR procedures. The incident highlighted the need for improved rail installation practices and accurate record-keeping to prevent future occurrences.