(The following story by Victoria Kim appeared on the Los Angeles Times website on August 25.)
LOS ANGELES — Metrolink railroad tracks have been cleared between Los Angeles and San Bernardino after a freight train derailed this morning, delaying travel in both directions, a spokeswoman said.
Although the commuter trains are running, they will not be cleared to operate at full speed until about 2:30 p.m., when the signal system inspection is expected to be completed, said Denise Tyrrell, the Metrolink spokeswoman. The derailment did not cause any injuries.
A Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train was backing up on rails between Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana this morning when five cars derailed, Tyrrell said.
No hazardous materials were released, but the derailed cars blocked Metrolink commuter trains, affecting passengers traveling to or from Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino.
Metrolink provided buses to shuttle passengers past the accident, creating delays from half an hour to an hour, Tyrrell said.
“It’s a matter of when the cranes get there, that’s the question of luck,” she said.
The San Bernardino line carries an average of 13,711 passengers each day, she said.