(The following story by Sharron Hollen appeared on the North Platte Telegraph website on March 18, 2010.)
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — About 700 tons of coal that spilled when a coal train derailed in Bailey Yard on Wednesday morning were expected to be cleared by Wednesday evening. Two tracks that were closed when eight cars on the Wyoming to Kentucky coal train derailed were also expected to be back in use.
The derailment occurred about 7:55 a.m. Wednesday in Bailey Yards near the run through fueling station. The eight derailed cars, seven of which were on their sides, were part of a 134-car coal train. Each open top hopper car carries about 100 tons of coal.
“We were still able to operate trains over the remaining six tracks in that area,” said Mark Davis, Union Pacific Railroad spokesman.
The cause of the derailment hasn’t been determined, according to Davis. No injuries were reported.
Davis said the coal involved in the spill would not be useable for utilities because of the debris gathered when bulldozers pick it up. “There are contractors who purchase this type of coal that can be used in other types of furnaces such as those used for brick making or drying purposes,” said Davis.