(The following article by Emily Arthur was posted on the Aberdeen American News website on July 29.)
ABERDEEN, S.D. — The cause of a four-car derailment at the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe rail yard in Aberdeen is still under investigation, an official from the railroad said on Thursday.
Gus Melonas, regional director of public affairs for BNSF, said the derailment occurred at about 8 p.m. behind Conlin’s Furniture, 629 Circle Drive. The cars were all empty, and no one was injured, Melonas said.
The train had been bound for Black Thunder Mine in Powder River Basin, Wyo. He said crews were bringing in equipment to rerail the cars on Thursday.
Melonas said the derailment caused a delay with minimal impact for about an hour and a half on the company’s main line through Aberdeen.