PINECLIFFE, Colo. — Fifteen cars of a BNSF freight train derailed early today (Sunday, Nov. 12) in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Denver, leading to a closure expected to block Union Pacific’s main line for 36 hours, according to preliminary estimates.
KCNC-TV reports the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office was informed of the derailment at 6:49 a.m., and that UP had offered the initial estimate of the closure to the sheriff’s office.
A 78-car train was involved; the derailed cars — eight of which remained upright while seven overturned — were either empty or carrying diesel fuel or magnesium. No fuels, leaks, or injuries were reported, according to the Timberline Fire Protection District.
The derailment has disrupted operations for both directions of Amtrak’s California Zephyr. A note on the “Train Status” feature of the Amtrak website says eastbound No. 6 was being held in Grand Junction, Colo., as of 10:49 a.m. MT because of the derailment; while westbound No. 5 was being held at Denver as of 9:30 a.m. MT. “A lengthy delay is anticipated, and we will provide an update as more information becomes available,” according to the note for No. 5. Amtrak no longer provides regular updates for long-distance issues on its Amtrak Alerts social media feed, so additional details are not available.
— Updated at 3:30 p.m. CST with correction of report from sheriff’s office regarding railroad whose train was involved.
Dear Trains: A basic item of information is the direction of the train. And if the number of cars is known, perhaps also consist: Loads-Empties-Weight-Length.
If only UP didn’t close Tennessee Pass line their would be an alternate route.
Amazing. When Utah develops its oil resources and proposes shipping through Colorado as one option for trains, all the environmentalist in Colorado have a conniption fit and sue to stop it from happening, but have only delayed it from happening. However, when an tank train derails in Colorado, nary a word is said against it by these tree huggers. They seem to be a contrary group that has decided they can pick and choose what environmental issues it is really concerned about… just the ones in Utah, not their own state!
It is amazing how derailments chew up wooden crossties!
The Google satellite view shows a huge rock slide just east around the curve.
“Amtrak no longer provides regular updates for long-distance issues on it’s Amtrak Alerts social media feed, so additional details are not available.” Hey you pathetic leaders of the Rail Passengers Association, how are you going to spin that? Talk about discrimination. The NEC riders are worthy of getting such timely information but the LD ridership isn’t?
To paraphrase “Animal Farm” by George Orwell (AKA Eric Blair), “All Amtrak Routes Are Important. But, the NEC is more important than all other Amtrak routes combined.”
A spokesperson for Amtrak said that passengers on the two impacted California Zephyr trains when the freight train derailed and shut down the line were transferred to secure buses. The buses are bypassing the two stations [Fraser-Winter Park, CO (WIP) and Granby, CO (GRA)], but are otherwise operating as is.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Turn the trains and bus bridge
The only logical action to take right now.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
You can do that? Wow,who would have thunk.