I just got back from the area of the derailment. I spoke with a truck driver that was dropping of heavy equipment, and He stated that sometime around 6pm this evening 17 Loaded Coal cars went on the ground just west of the Frog Pond RD crossing. (Between Morrison IL & Clinton IA)
It looked to me like an eastbound coal train derailed about 3/4 mile west of the crossing. I heard chatter on the scanner about a switch that was damaged and a mud hole that was in the area, they also mentioned that they were going to straight rail over the switch and were waiting on some track panels, Hulcher crews are at the site to fix the problem.
Traffic has been stopped in both directions on both tracks.
I saw a east bound Coal train being tied down at Acker Road (one mile east of the site) I think that this is the Train that “lost” the cars. (Which means the crew is O.K.) They were having trouble getting the engines rolling after going into emergency.
There is not much that can be seen of the wreck, because there is no public access road near the derailment.
Sorry no pictures this time.
Anybody else know anything?
Later Bill
That explains why it has been so dead out here. Thanks for the heads up.
Allan.
Per the UP service bulletin - 23 cars went down. Derailed on main 1 and fouled main 2. Main 2 was to be up at 1000 Fri. Main 2 at 1800 Fri.
Good. That means there will be alot of Trains tomorrow,Sweet.
Allan.
Thanks for the update dblstack.
I have not had the time to get back out there.
Maybe tomarrow I will see whats left.
Later Bill
I visited the Derailment site yesterday and took these photos.
Broken rail & wheel cause coal train derailment,
UP Geneva sub, Frog Pond Rd, Whiteside County Illinois
Nothing spectacular just a big pile of Coal and some wrecked coal hoppers.
Lots of train traffic running thruogh the site.
I spoke with a UP Employee and he said that talk at the office is that this was caused by a broken Rail.
Later Bill
Derailment site, UP Geneva sub, Frog Pond Rd, Whiteside County Illinois
Rubble at derailment site, UP Geneva sub, Frog Pond Rd, Whiteside County Illinois
“able frog” at Derailment site, UP Geneva sub, Frog Pond Rd, Whiteside County Illinois
train rolls through derailment site, UP Geneva sub, Frog Pond Rd, Whiteside County Illinois
Wow. What a mess. Thanks for the Photo’s.
Allan.