BNSF handles two derailments

BNSF Railway is working to clean up two derailments that occurred early today (Saturday, July 20). No injuries or hazardous materials were produced in either accident.

The first was reported at about 12:46 p.m. near Ottawa, Kansas, 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 provided by the Sheriff’s Office shows a significant but unknown number of derailed cars being cleaned up. BNSF’s customer advisory does not provide an estimate of when the tracks will be reopened.

The second was reported at about 3:16 a.m. in Big Lake, Minn., 46 track miles west of St. Paul, Minn., on the railroad’s Staples Subdivision. The Shelburne County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook that 15 rail cars were involved; images from the scene showed an intermodal train was involved. The railroad’s customer advisory estimates that one track will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and the second at about 7:30 a.m.

The derailment led to a diversion for today’s eastbound train Empire builder through Willmar, Minn.; the train departed St. Paul, Minn., at 3:22 p.m., 6 hours and 32 minutes late, and was 6 hours and 46 minutes late at its stop in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., at 7:44 p.m. The train status tool on Amtrak.com reports that the train is heading west Builder which left Chicago today is expected to make a similar detour, resulting in a delay of up to 4 hours.