BNSF Train Derails Near Fort Worth, Texas

August 30th, 2010 |

FORT WORTH, TX — Several BNSF rail cars carrying coal derailed near downtown Fort Worth Sunday night August 29, around 8:20 pm, interrupting part of the Trinity Railway Express between Fort Worth and Dallas early Monday morning. The BNSF train shares the Union Pacific tracks with TRE, which is co-owned by Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

BNSF train derailment FT Worth Aug 29 2010-1

A train pulling coal cars derailed east of downtown Fort Worth, TX, Monday Aug. 30, 2010.The incident disrupted a commuter rail line connecting Fort Worth and Dallas. Star-Telegram/David Kent

According to WFFA-TV, several of the train cars could be seen turned over, with a few actually off the tracks. The accident led to some buckling on the tracks as well. As a result, there will be no service between the two TRE stations downtown and the Richland Hills station for the Monday morning rush hour. The transit agency, which is operated jointly by The T and DART, will set up a “bus bridge”from the Richland Hills Station to ferry commuters around the derailment.

The Star Telegram reports the following:

Joe Faust, BNSF spokesman, explained that the two railroads have longstanding agreements to share tracks throughout their systems.

The cars numbered 20 through 26 were the ones that derailed, Faust said.

“Three of them actually overturned, four derailed upright and three derailed on their sides,” Faust said.

BNSF train derailment FT Worth Aug 29 2010-2

Workers hustle to replace track after a train pulling coal cars derailed east of downtown Fort Worth, TX, Monday Aug. 30, 2010.The incident disrupted a commuter rail line connecting Fort Worth and Dallas. Star-Telegram/David Kent

The train had departed eastbound from the BNSF yards off of West Vickery Boulevard, he added.

Faust also noted that the speed limit on that section is 10 mph, but BNSF officials say the train was moving at 8 mph.

An earlier report stated that the derailment happened at about 10:30 p.m., but Faust clarified that the later time was when BNSF officials made their report of the incident.

Wreckage was cleared by Monday morning, but extensive repairs were needed to the tracks and a bridge, said Raquel Espinoza, Union Pacific spokeswoman.

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Crews work overnight cleaning up the accident. Star-Telegram / Mike Zukerman

“Any time we have something like this happen, we have to make the necessary repairs and tests to make sure all the equipment is working properly,” Espinoza said.

She said UP officials hoped to have the work completed Tuesday afternoon, but it was possible that it could be Wednesday before rail traffic resumes on the line.

There were no reported injuries in the accident.

Source: Star Telegram

Published by FELA lawyer Gordon &amp Elias, LLP