SANTA FE, Texas A derailment prompted the evacuation of some residents of Santa Fe this morning over concerns of a possible chemical leak, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Police say several cars derailed before dawn. No injuries were immediately reported.
Police Sgt. Eric Bruss says some type of undetermined fluid was leaking from the train and hazardous materials experts were being summoned.
An evacuation was ordered for people within a mile of the accident scene. Police went door to door, after the accident reported after 5:30 a.m., to notify residents to leave.
A stretch of nearby Texas 6 was closed. However, Santa Fe ISD reported schools are open as usual.
(This item appeared Feb. 17, 2010, in the Chronicle.)
Crews work to remove 22 BNSF train cars that derailed in Santa Fe
(The following story by Hayley Kappes appeared on the Galveston Daily News website on February 22, 2010.)
SANTA FE, Texas About half of the 22 train cars that derailed last Thursday near FM 646 South and state Highway 6 have been removed, police said.
The 10 remaining cars carried liquid propane, and tanker trucks will remove the liquid from each car, Santa Fe police Sgt. Eric Bruss said.
Workers will begin burning off excess propane fumes today, after the liquid has been removed from each car, Bruss said. The process will take about two days.
Santa Fe fire officials will supervise the burn, which will not pose public safety risks, Bruss said.
The railroad crossing at FM 646 South and state Highway 6 still is closed. Only one lane is open eastbound on state Highway 6 near the accident location.
Bruss said he is not sure how much longer the cleanup would take. Burlington Northern Santa Fe workers, contractors and environmental agencies have been working on the cleanup 24 hours a day, Bruss said.
Theyve made a dynamic amount of progress the last few days, he said. Approaches to railroad crossings have been repaired, a new lighting system is in place and trains have been running on the track routinely.
The derailments cause has not been determined yet, Bruss said.
Last weeks accident caused evacuations of nearby residents and businesses.
Tibaldos Feed and Supply, 12011 state Highway 6, was closed Thursday and had few customers Friday and Saturday, owner Ricky Tibaldo said.
A lot of people still didnt know we were open because of all the cleanup crews and equipment out front, he said. Hopefully this week well return to normal business.
Several cars derailed directly behind Tibaldos store, and wheel collided into the back of the building. During the weekend, workers still were removing oil that had leaked from a tanker and collected in a ditch in front of the store.
Tibaldo said BNSF representatives told him they will compensate him for business lost and damage done to the store. He didnt know the exact amount he would receive.
Theyre working really well with me, he said. They told me anything I needed theyll take care of.
Tibaldo said BNSF representatives told him they will compensate him for business lost and damage done to the store. He didnt know the exact amount he would receive.
Theyre working really well with me, he said. They told me anything I needed theyll take care of.
-- Edited by Snippy on Monday 22nd of February 2010 07:09:28 PM
__________________
I think LAMCo is done with the neo-nazi CSX rejects -- Pipes FC 8/5/23
The BNSF also told me when I hired out that I could make as much money as I want.... Ironicly, that terminal manager ended up getting fired and escorted off property by the bulls.
Northstar rail line blocked near Fridley station; Metro Transit offering bus service to finish commute Pioneer Press Updated: 02/25/2010 08:50:16 AM CST
Part of the mainline tracks of the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe railroad are blocked this morning, prompting Metro Transit to bus Northstar commuters from Coon Rapids to Minneapolis, a Metro Transit spokesman said today.
Around 4:05 a.m., Burlington-Northern notified Metro Transit of the blockage about a half-mile north of the Fridley train station, said Metro Transit spokesman Robert Gibbons.
The Northstar line can operate from the Big Lake station to the Coon Rapids station. Metro Transit is providing buses at the Coon Rapids station for commuters to finish their trips to downtown Minneapolis.
Commuters should plan on adding an extra 20 to 30 minutes to their commutes, Gibbons said.
In the morning, Metro Transit runs one northbound train and five southbound trains on the Northstar line. About 1,000 commuters use the line each day, Gibbons said.
Burlington-Northern said the blockage will be cleared up in time for "smooth sailing" during the afternoon commute, Gibbons said. The first northbound train leaves just before 4 p.m.
