(The following story by Laura Johnson appeared on The News Star on September 15.)
MONROE, La. — Officials with Union Pacific Railroad said there were no injuries and crews worked through the night to upright derailed cars and repair track on the South Second Street overpass in Monroe.
The train derailed at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, causing nine cars to jump track.
The Monroe Police Department continued today to block streets around the South Second Street overpass at the request of Union Pacific Railroad to protect motorist from derailed cars that threatened to topple over onto the road.
Men in hard hats and work boots used heavy equipment to move whole sections of the track and to upright cars.
Traffic was diverted to Texas Avenue until the road was reopened later in the day.
Officials with the railroad said the train was traveling from Livonia to East St. Louis, Ill.
Of the nine cars, three were empty, four were carrying plastic pellets, one was carrying plywood and one was carrying alcohol, according to Mark Davis, a Union Pacific spokesman. He said the alcohol did not spill.
The pellets are commonly used for making plastic products such as disposable cups and sheeting.
Crews worked through the night using heavy equipment supplied in part by R.J. Corman Derailment Services, to set the cars upright and to replace nearly 500 feet of damaged track.
In late July a Union Pacific train derailed near the intersection of Prairie Road and U.S. Highway 165 about 15 miles south of Monroe.
The train contained 4,100 gallons of diesel shortly after refueling in Monroe.
Ouachita Parish firefighters worked into the night to contain the diesel leak.
Authorities said the train ran over something that punctured the train’s fuel tank.
No injuries were reported.