| Last updated on November 3, 2020
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KNAPP, Wis. — Union Pacific says a broken rail was the apparent cause of Sunday’s derailment in western Wisconsin.
Thirty-five cars of a 192-car train derailed about 4 p.m., closing parallel U.S. Route 12 [see “Union Pacific train derails in western Wisconsin,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 12, 2020].
The finding is preliminary and a detailed investigation continues, WKBT-TV reports. No one was injured in Sunday’s accident.
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Dave Mikelson, thanks, you beat me to it.
Oops! Meant to use the word break (as in rail break) not “brake!”
The UP has replaced all of the C&NW rail with new welded rail from St Paul to Miwaukee. This trackage is now 50 MPH.
I’m curious as to what type of rail brake occurred. Was it a transverse fissure, defective weld, vertical split head, etc.,? I use to operate one of the two NorthWestern ultra-sound rail test trucks through nearly all of the 1980s. Seems I recall mostly 112 (12228) pound jointed rail being used on that line. I suspect by now it’s mostly welded rail.
The ancient C&NW rail has been working OK for the last 25 years hasn’t it Curtis, plus who knows when the C&NW laid it so it could be many additional years that it has been working. Surely the UP has inspected it during that time period?
No, Curtis. It would seem that cold weather might be the main source of blame. However, if the rail was older C&NW era rail then UP would have an issue regarding proper track inspections (again) to look at.
Likely the rail was ancient C&NW stick.