(The following story by Tad Vezner appeared on the Pioneer Press website on March 5.)
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A major commerce route for one of the nation’s largest railroads was closed today after a train car ruptured on a bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin, spilling 20,000 gallons of antifreeze.
At the time of the spill, the 135-car mixed-freight BNSF Railway train had already come to a complete stop on the Prescott Bridge in Washington County, just west of Prescott, Wis.
The train went into an “undesired emergency” about 4:30 p.m., meaning the brakes came on and the two-person crew had to get out and investigate why. Other railway officials were nearby and joined in the search.
Finally, in the 76th car, a 4-inch-wide hole was discovered, leaking antifreeze. As the crew was inspecting the hole, the entire car buckled, spilling thousands of gallons.
No injuries were reported, according to railway and local law enforcement officials.
BNSF spokesperson Steve Forsberg said it was not clear whether the car was directly above the water. Cleanup efforts took place on the Minnesota side of the bridge.
“My understanding is some of (the antifreeze) did get into water that would get into the Mississippi. My understanding is they put booms in place,” Forsberg said.
Officials with the Washington County sheriff’s office also said it was unclear whether the spill had occurred directly over the river.
“We don’t understand why the car leaked, let alone why it buckled while standing still,” Forsberg added. “There was no derailment. No other cars were
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damaged.”
Hazardous-materials teams employed by the railway joined local hazmat teams and law enforcement officials to clean up the spill. Forsberg said the cleanup involved “dozens” of BNSF employees and contract workers.
As of 8:30 p.m. today, Forsberg said it was unclear how long the spill would take to clean up or for how long the busy commerce route would be closed.
The site of the spill is the St. Croix Subdivision of BNSF’s main line, which stretches from Seattle to Chicago. Forsberg said 40 to 45 trains use the route every day.
U.S. 10 at the St. Croix Trail also was closed until 8 p.m., according to the Washington County sheriff’s office.
Forsberg said the car in question originated in Canada and was on its way to Chicago. The train had just left Minneapolis for Galesburg, Ill.