(The following article by Dawn Borman was posted on the Kansas City Star website on February 18.)
LENEXA, Kan. — Railroad officials expect streets in Lenexa to be opened later this afternoon as crews continue to clean and investigate a train derailment.
The train was hauling coal from Wyoming to Georgia when 12 of the 122 cars derailed near Santa Fe Trail Drive and Long Street, said Steve Forsberg, general director of public affairs for Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railway in Kansas City, Kan.
Forsberg said the train had stopped at a rail yard in North Kansas City to change crew members. No crew members or emergency workers were injured, authorities said.
Rail officials expect the coal cleanup to continue through the week, though the roads and tracks will be open later today. It could be several days or weeks before investigators learn the cause of the derailment.