Thursday afternoon rail news:
UP train derails near Dixon, Ill.
Thirty-nine cars of a Union Pacific train derailed near Dixon, Ill., on Thursday morning. WIFR-TV reports UP initially informed the Lee County, Ill., Sheriff’s Office of the derailment at 1:49 a.m., and just before 5 a.m., updated its initial report to say diesel fuel, nut oil, and sulfuric acid had spilled as a result of the accident. No injuries were reported and evacuation was required; the state Environmental Protection Agency is now on scene.
Oil reignites at BNSF derailment in Custer, Wash.
A fire reignited Wednesday night at the site of Tuesday’s derailment of a BNSF oil train in Custer, Wash., leading to a new evacuation of those in the immediate area of the accident. The Bellingham Herald reports first responders were called to the scene at 9:15 p.m.; a BNSF spokeswoman said the fire was out within an hour and residents were allowed to return. The railroad planned to reopen the mainline this morning, following completion of track repairs.
Tri-Rail trains halted by boat on tracks
This was not your usual grade-crossing incident: Miami-area commuter railroad Tri-Rail had to halt operations Thursday morning because of a boat on the tracks. WPLG-TV reports a pickup truck hauling a boat tried to beat lowering crossing gates in Dania Beach, Fla. — and didn’t make it. The boat was caught by the gate, blocking the tracks. While it was not hit by the train, the boat fouled the tracks, leading Tri-Rail to temporarily use a bus bridge around the site until the tracks could be cleared.
