(The following article by Jeff Pope was posted on the Winslow Mail website on March 23.)
WINSLOW, Ariz. — A Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train carrying food derailed east of Winslow and shut down rail traffic for more than 12 hours. The accident occurred around 1:55 p.m. on March 16 near the rest area on W. Route 66.
A total of eight cars jumped the track with six lying on their sides.
The westbound train originated in Kansas City, Kan. and was heading to Barstow, Calif. with corn syrup, sugar and beans among its cargo. An unknown amount of corn syrup and beans spilled from the derailed cars.
Two crew members were aboard the train but neither was injured.
One line reopened around 5 a.m. on Thursday and the second opened at approximately 8 a.m. The cause was still under investigation but a company spokesperson said BNSF does not release that information.
The train was 6,602-feet long pulled by five locomotives.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad workers were on scene right after eight cars derailed east of downtown Winslow last Wednesday. The train was carrying food items such as beans and corn syrup, which spilled in the wreck. Crews worked through the night to reopen the two lines.