CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) crews have begun clean-up operations at the site of a Jan. 18 derailment in Minot, North Dakota. The clean-up is expected to take at least two more days to complete, according to a company press release issued Sunday.
Approximately 30 cars derailed at 1:40 am CST Jan. 18 on the western outskirts of Minot, resulting in an anhydrous ammonia leak and the evacuation of about 20 homes adjacent to the derailment site. The evacuation remains in place and under the authority of the Minot Fire Department.
CPR is in the process of removing damaged rail cars and spilled anhydrous ammonia from the site to eliminate all potentially harmful vapors. That process is expected to continue around the clock for at least 48 hours from the time of this update.
The train that derailed carried a total of 112 cars. It originated in Edmonton, Alberta and was destined for St. Paul, Minn. A total of 31 cars, including 15 containing anhydrous ammonia. These cars suffered varying degrees of damage and leaks.
Anhydrous ammonia is a common nitrogen-based product used in fertilizers, refrigeration and household detergents. It is a colorless liquid at temperatures below -33C and forms a gas at higher temperatures.
CPR is co-operating with the National Transportation Safety Board, which is conducting an investigation into the cause of the derailment.
CPR operations in the Minot area will be restored to normal soon after the clean-up is completed during the coming days. The railway continues to move trains in the Midwest U.S. via detours.