Union Pacific spokesman Justin E. Jacobs tells Trains News Wire there were 95 cars on the train and about 37 cars derailed.
“An undetermined number of cars are in the Floyd River, but it could be around 20 [cars],” he says.
The train was carrying sand and soybean oil and none of the cars were carrying hazardous materials. An undetermined amount of sand was released into the river. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation, but Jacobs says recent flooding may have been a factor.
Heavy rains have plagued northwestern Iowa since last week, prompting Union Pacific to halt rail traffic in the area of the derailment just days prior. On Sept. 21, the railroad issued a customer advisory stating it had stopped rail traffic between Sioux City, Iowa, and Alton due to washouts and water across the right-of-way.
According to U.S. Geological Survey data, the Floyd River in Alton peaked at 21.93 feet last week during UP’s traffic embargo, but as of Sunday morning’s derailment, waters had receded to about 14 feet, which was still above flood stage.
It is not yet known when rail traffic will resume on the line.
