ESSEX, Mont. — Twelve cars of a BNSF grain train derailed near Essex early today (Saturday, Oct. 12), KRTV reports.
No injuries were reported. The incident occurred about 5:42 a.m. near Java, Mont., on the Hi Line Subdivision, according to a BNSF customer advisory. Both tracks of the main line were affected; BNSF is estimating the first track will be reopened about 11 p.m. local time.
The derailment led to service disruptions for Amtrak’s Empire Builder. According to the Amtrak Alerts feed on X.com, the Friday, Oct. 11, departure from Portland, Ore., and Seattle was halted at Whitefish, Mont., while the Oct. 11 departure from Chicago will be halted at Shelby, Mont.
The trains were to be turned at those locations with passengers bused the 150 miles between the two communities, where they will resume their trips by rail. Eastbound No. 8 arrived in Whitefish at 10:31 a.m. today, while westbound No. 7 is, at this writing, due in Shelby at 5:58 p.m.
