A Union Pacific train just derailed in Little Rock, CA. Emergency crews are saying that out of 70 cars 22 have derailed or are off of the tracks. 14 of the derailed cars have haz mat cargo. There is also a possible chlorine leak. Union Pacific crews are on scene and a Homeland Security rep is en route. At this time (2:21 PST) LACoFD crews are being advised to stay 500ft away from derailed cars and evacuations in the containment zone are underway.
Here are links to live radio traffic from emergency crews on scene:
My Husband & I were on this track back in April on the PRS Diamond Jubilee excursion. Is it known whether the train was heading east or west on the Colton Cutoff? The track passes our home within 1/2 mile.
No leaks…the six hazmat cars on the ground are empty (and were before the derailment as well). Precautionary evacuations were ordered, but this is probably not going to be a big headline for long.
I think I read somewhere that the train was headed from Roseville to West Colton. The tankers were determined to be empty but I’m not sure if the evacuated will be allowed to return to their homes tonight.
The next day, close to 20 hours after the derailment had occurred, K.P. approached the scene from the east.
From 96th Street East , looking west, or northbound. A work train was on site, by 92nd St. East, and new grade crossing flashers and gates had been erect but not hooked up. Missing, though, were the grade crossing electrical box, train color light signaling, and antenna that the above post had mentioned (photo right). So, they did in fact get creamed out as the post above alluded to!
Well, well, well. Look what K.P. found a block or two from the site!
A new grade crossing electrical box to replace the creamed out one! Photo shot at Avenue T and 92nd St. East…
From 94th St East, looking west; the large white object on the left is a derailed tank car.
Today, Saturday July 30, 2011, the site was again visited, and it can be reported to the forum that both a new, tall signal mast with heads facing both ways, and a new control box was in place and operational.
Jointed rail and manicured ballast were now in place.
A whole lot of the derailment had been cleaned up, though some debris was still on site. The new crossing gates were operational.
Note the ‘black’ new pavement on the above photo’s bottom that replaced all of the crushed and derailment torn-up pavement.
