The CSX train with 94 coal cars and three locomotives was exiting Georgia Power’s Plant Bowen in Euharlee, near Cartersville, at about 11.15pm when the accident occurred.

It had originated in Evansville, Illinois, with a full load for the facility, according to local media including an Atlanta CBS affiliate.

The names of the victims were not released, though officials told the news station both were CSX employees and that the injuries were not life-threatening.

No information was available Wednesday on the pair’s condition.

CSX and Georgia Power, which have started an investigation into the cause, said that none of the train’s coal cars derailed in the incident.

Georgia Power’s Plant Bowen, which is controlled by Southern Company, has not had the best run of luck this year. In April, a blast at the plant injured three individuals and a subsequent Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation uncovered 17 safety violations.

In late September, the federal agency charged Georgia Power $US119,000 in penalties for the violations.

The blast occurred late at night April 2 while crews were preparing to shut down Plant Bowen’s Unit 2 for planned maintenance.

Investigators determined the origin of the blast was in the power house that held generators and turbines and there was no damage or impact to the facility’s coal handling area.

It concluded that the utility had failed to ensure safety briefings were conducted by management before starting each job.

Finally, it said the company broke rules requiring that it document and use procedures to control hazardous energy.