(The Billings Gazette posted the following article on its website on November 9.)
LAUREL, Mont. — Montana Rail Link’s main line was blocked at Laurel on Wednesday after five cars of a westbound freight train derailed at the east end of the Laurel Yard at Mossmain.
Lynda M. Frost, an MRL spokeswoman, said the railroad brought in cranes and heavy equipment so the cars could be lifted upright. The equipment was expected early Wednesday afternoon.
The derailment occurred about 8:40 a.m. It left two cars carrying liquid petroleum gas and a covered hopper car, loaded with 286,000 pounds of flour, on their sides, Frost said. A third car carrying LP gas and an empty box car were leaning.
No injuries or leaks were reported.
By 2 p.m. four tanker cars were standing just west of the Laurel viaduct, and the box car was standing under the viaduct.
The train, which had an MRL crew, had four engines and a total of 65 cars. The derailment occurred near the end of the train, starting with the 51st car.
While the main track was blocked, Frost said rail traffic can still move through the area and noted that today was a light day for traffic along the route. The main line is expected to reopen early today.
The extent of damage and cause of the derailment remain under investigation.