(The following story by Bob Davila appeared on the Sacramento Bee website on November 10, 2009.)
PITTSBURG, Calif. — Amtrak is providing bus service today for San Joaquin train passengers traveling between Stockton and Martinez following a freight train derailment early this morning that is blocking tracks near Pittsburg.
No one was injured when 10 cars on a freight train that was backing up derailed at 1:30 a.m. today, BNSF Railway spokeswoman Lena Kent said. Nine cars were empty, and one was loaded with liquid petroleum gas, which did not leak, she said.
The cause is under investigation, Kent said. All the cars were upright, and the track was expected to be cleared by this afternoon, she said.
BNSF Railway shares the single-track railroad with Amtrak passenger trains. Amtrak officials said bus service is being provided today for passengers on eastbound trains 704, 712, 714, 716 and 718 and westbound trains 701, 711, 713, 715, and 717.