This morning around 0100, at milepost 9.1, BNSF Glasgow Sub, eastbound Z-PTLCHC derailed in the upper reaches of Gassman Coulee, in an area without access. At this time, no injuries are known. The train was all doublestack intermodal containers and the fire did not impact any hazardous materials. No direct roads are available and wet fields complicated getting fire apparatus into the scene of the blaze. Amtrak 7 was held and turned to become Amtrak 8 tonight. I don't know if Amtrak is a simple service disruption, or if bus service will connect Minot westbound to other points, but a bus bridge was not reportedly possible on a Sunday. The forward portion of the train was moved to the old GN yard in Minot, and the aft end pulled a safe distance away. The westbound fleet of trains that normally goes thru Minot on the weekend has been stacking up in the old GN yard, as well as Gavin Yard. Trains are likely being diverted via Bismarck on the old NP line. On a lighter note, of the cargo involved in the fire, some sources indicate tater tots might be in the containers. I say bring the ketchup, as they are pre-baked! https://www.kfyrtv.com/2022/05/01/breaking-train-derails-ignites-near-burlington/
Argh, what a mess. Perhaps 30 years ago some miles from my home, the Silver Star split a switch and derailed. The media was astonished that there were no roads to the derailment site, as if it must have been a planning oversight. Some people need to get out more.
I was talking to a neighbor a few weeks ago and he was pleased to see that an eagle had taken up residence on his property. He posted it on social media and a resident elsewhere in the neighborhood responded to thank him "for helping to keep her family safe". Can you believe this? She must think than an eagle is the size of a Pterodactyl or a vicious bird of prey that instinctively attacks children.
Jeez, some people... We all know they only eat fish and small rodents-but the raccoons, they carry away the small children!
I don't recall how long the track was closed, but it didn't take long to get at least one track open. A Form B with restricted speed and "plenty of bell & whistle around men and equipment" was the rule of the day when things started moving. Not sure they have cleaned it up as the fields are still very wet. Here's some of what I snapped in Minot during the disruption. Since the derailment site was inaccessible and in a valley, I never ventured out there. Amtrak 7 was billed as a service disruption and was turned to become train 8. As train 8, in brilliant sunlight that's not normal when on-time. A close-up of the Siemens builder plate/decal:
Trains were diverted and those beyond a diversion point were parked. Here's a few views of the old GN yard, stacked with trains, and one waiting on the main: The double stack you see in the middle is the accident train, the forward, non-derailed portion that was pulled east from the scene.
While trains waited, cleanup and efforts to getting at least one track operational were the priority. About the only thing moving were ballast trains and wreck trains with panel track. Here's a ballast train at Soo Tower, from a pedestrian underpass. Also included are some closeups of the the conveyor system.
As noted earlier, the derailment occurred in a very inaccessible area, not only surrounded by private property and no roads, but saturated with snowmelt and rain, making emergency vehicle access impossible in some cases. A firefighter friend said they got multiple apparatus stuck in farm fields trying to access the fire to put it out. Here's something you don't see every day, and some long shots from the public road, the only views I have.
Wow, that wellcar looks like an ancient artifact they found in the mud! Lot's of scrap metal out there. Sheeesh!
