Train derails in Hutchins

SHERRY LONG
The Ellis County Press

HUTCHINS - A Union Pacific train derailed in the 1400 block of Miller's Ferry Road between Palestine and Wintergreen at 11:45 p.m. Saturday night.

Three locomotives and 15 cars bound for Tyler carrying rock and pea gravel derailed causing 600 feet of track to be replaced.

Union Pacific Spo-kesman Mark Davis said two locomotives leaked a small amount of fuel from their gauges.

Davis said the railroad has expensive first response and environmental teams in place working closely with local responders and state environmental agencies.

Hutchins Police Chi-ef Greg Griffin said no toxic substances were being transported on the rails at the time of the accident.

The remaining fuel was unloaded off the train engines and onto tanker trucks.

Griffin said Union Pacific railroad crews arrived quickly to begin repairing the damaged track.

'There was an extremely rapid response (from Union Pacific),' Griffin said. 'It was pretty clean and dry.'

A temporary track has been laid until the permanent track can be installed.

'It is perfectly safe for trains to operate over temporary track. It is made of the same materials as regular track,' Davis said.

Griffin said roadways surrounding the scene was cleared and re-opened Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, according to officials.

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