FIELD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Two carloads of liquefied petroleum gas were among those involved in a derailment of nine cars of a Canadian National train in rural northern Minnesota on Monday, July 17, according to a press release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
As reported by KRFO radio, the derailment occurred about 8:20 p.m. Five of the cars overturned and four remained upright; no leaks or spills were reported involving the hazardous materials or other cargo.
The derailment site is approximately 6 miles north of Cook, Minn., on CN’s Rainy Subdivision and about 80 miles north of Duluth. The Sheriff’s Office describes the site as a rural, non-residential area and says the derailment poses no danger to the public.
Not good at all! Another sure road of bad luck!
Railroad safety has been a concern nationwide after several derailments in recent months, including a fiery February NS train wreck near East Palestine, Ohio.
Congress is considering several new safety requirements for freight railroads, which have already committed to making some changes in their operations. Federal regulators have also urged railroads to take additional precautions to prevent derailments.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
On May 31, about two dozen cars from a Canadian Pacific Kansas City freight train derailed in northwest Minnesota, near Lancaster. There were no reported spills or injuries from that incident.
A half-dozen cars from a BNSF freight train derailed near St. Cloud on May 27.
And a fiery train derailment caused the evacuation of the western Minnesota city of Raymond on March 30. Twenty-two cars from a BNSF freight train — some carrying ethanol — went off the tracks in that incident.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Canadian National Railway emphasized that 10 cars were involved and added that the cause of the derailment is under investigation.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
This is former Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific trackage.
Ed Burns