GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Three railroad cars on a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad spur were found rolling down a slope of track near the JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Grand Island early Sunday afternoon, the Independent reports.
The unattended cars neared the railroad crossing on Stuhr Road and caused the crossing arm to activate, said Grand Island Police Sgt. Dean Elliott.
The cars rolled to a stop near the crossing and the crossing arms elevated, he said. The incident occurred shortly after noon.
Police and railroad officials were unsure whether the cars had become disconnected from a series of cars due to cold weather or from tampering. Police did find a fresh set of footprints in the snow on the railroad right-of-way, but no other evidence of foul play, Elliott said.
No injuries or blocked crossings resulted.
(This item appeared in the Independent Jan. 11, 2010.)
