I was in Virden IL [25mi. S. of Springfield} and came across a clean up of a CN grain train derailment on BNSF tracks. RJ Corman crews were on the scene as well as CN &BNSF I saw at least 6 boom Cats and 5 truck loads of pannel track. Does anyone know when this happened??? I was unable to stop and get any details.
Virden is where the BNSF Beardsdown sub parallels UP, until they separate at Girard, though the accident is west of the town before they meet. The last time I remember a derailment this bad on this stretch of track was a Burlington Northern derailment a dozen miles south of Jacksonville back in 1987 or 88.
http://www.sj-r.com/extras/breaking/index.asp?ID=5144
Railroad cleaning up after Virden train derailment
Last Updated 4/5/2008 7:40:16 PM
VIRDEN - Cleanup crews this evening remain at the site of a train derailment on the western edge of Virden.
No one was injured in the incident, which occurred at 1:55 a.m.
Twenty-two carloads of corn went off the single-lane Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway track, said Steve Forsberg, the railway’s general director of public affairs.
“(The cause) is under investigation. Right now the investigation is focusing on a mechanical issue, potentially with a wheel in one of the cars,” he said.
Most of the cars ended up on their sides. A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available.
The tracks are closed as crews drag the derailed equipment out of the way. Forsberg said the line won’t reopen until sometime after midnight.
Believe it or not, BNSF posts these on their public website for customer updates.
Go to BNSF.com, then markets, pick intermodal for instance, then customer updates. Look under Service Advisories. You don’t need a password.
From the BNSF.com website:
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To: All Impacted Customers |
Update Report: Derailment at Virden, Illinois
As mentioned in a Service Advisory on April 5, 2008, BNSF reported train G-EDUCEI3-04 derailed at Virden, Illinois. This location is approximately 55 miles west of Beardstown, Illinois.
Train G-EDUCEI3-04 derailed 22 cars at Virden, blocking the main line. The main line is estimated to be restored to service at 12:01 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Customers may experience delays of 24 to 36 hours on shipments moving through this corridor.