A BNSF IM train dearialed near Clear Lake MN early today (7-20) EB Amtrak detoured thru Willmar.
It's actually Big Lake, MN. Big Lake is currently the end point of the Northstar Commuter Rail line; eventually the line is scheduled to go all the way to St. Cloud. Apparently the derailment blocked a number of people from using the Northstar train to go to that day's Twins game; the end of the line station in Minneapolis is part of the Target Field complex.
Big Lake train derailment blocks off area as crews and authorities respond (yahoo.com)
The accident happened at approx. 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Main line 2 was opened Sunday, and main line 1 was opened Monday.
Any idea as to the cause of the derailment?
There hasn't been anything more on it the last few days. The train derailed towards the middle - the engines and first 10-15 cars stayed on the rails - so that might indicate a failure in one of the car's trucks or wheels, rather than a track issue.
Train Derailment in Big Lake (youtube.com)
Not necessarily - track failing under traffic.
In 26 years in Dispatching the most common 'happening' was a train leaving the 'track occupancy light' for a track segment on after the train had cleared that track segment. Sometimes the cause was a broken bond wire that electrically join two rails together; however, more frequently as the carriers have installed more and more welded rail and are welded out the joints of multiple 1440 foot rail strings the cause is a broken rail. The fact that the circuit was off until the train entered the circuit and on when the train left the circuit is prima facia evidence that the rail broke under the train as it moved over the point where the rail broke.
There but for the grace of GOD is a derailment.
But GOD does smile for railroaders - as it is not 'that easy' to derail a train, sometimes you have to work at it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agznZBiK_Bs
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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