BNSF Railway is working to clean up a pair of derailments that occurred early today (Saturday, July 20). No injuries or hazardous materials situations resulted from either.
The first was reported at approximately 12:46 a.m. near Ottawa, Kan., on BNSF’s Emporia Subdivision, blocking both main tracks. The only cargo spilled was a large amount of corn, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. A photo from the Sheriff’s Office shows cleanup in progress for a significant but undetermined number of derailed cars. BNSF’s customer advisory does not offer an estimate when the tracks will be reopened.
The second was reported at approximately 3:16 a.m. at Big Lake, Minn., 46 rail miles west of St. Paul, Minn., on the railroad’s Staples Subdivision. The Shelburne County Sheriff’s Office reports on Facebook that 15 cars were involved; images from the scene show an intermodal train was involved. The railroad’s advisory to customers estimates one track will be reopened at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, and the second at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The derailment led to a detour for today’s eastbound Empire Builder through Willmar, Minn.; the train departed St. Paul, Minn., at 3:22 p.m., 6 hours, 32 minutes late, and was 6 hours, 46 minutes late as of its stop at Wisconsin Dells, Wis., at 7:44 p.m. The train status tool on Amtrak.com says the westbound Builder that departed Chicago today is currently projected to make a similar detour, leading to a delay of up to 4 hours.
