Subsequent to a switching error, a rail tanker containing 58 tonnes of toluene overturned on the CD12 departmental highway running below the railway line. A 100-liter leak was observed underneath the railcar, whose fall also knocked down a pole supporting the railroad catenary wire, which was likely responsible for the car’s deteriorated state. The catenary wire however remained in place. Fire-fighters plugged the leak and set up a safety perimeter. A specialised firm transferred the toluene into a tanker truck during the afternoon; the railcar was lifted from the roadway later that evening. Given the cold weather at the time, the product did not present any special risk provided it was handled with precaution. Traffic was closed on the CD12 road but not interrupted on the A7 motorway running parallel to the CD12 highway, with motorists’ curiosity causing several km of bottlenecks. The Inspection authorities for classified facilities concluded that the switching devices in use at the marshalling yard, for handling railcars transporting hazardous substances, were placed very close to train tracks accessible to the public; the gendarmerie conducted an investigation.