(The following report appeared on the Jackson Hole Star Tribune website on May 18.)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — Two separate train derailments over the weekend in Converse County have snarled coal traffic on the triple-track rail route leading southeast out the Powder River Basin.
The first involved a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train Saturday about six miles north of Bill. The second occurred at about 5:30 a.m. about five miles south of Bill, where 28 loaded coal cars derailed.
No injuries were reported in either accident.
“Between those two derailments, we’ve had quite a service disruption in that area,” said John Bromley, spokesman for Union Pacific.
As many as 100 trains export coal from the region’s 14 active mines every day. Routes lead westward and eastward from Gillette, and the busiest route is the triple-track route southeast out of the basin.
Bromley said all three tracks were closed for a time over the weekend, but some traffic was re-opened Sunday night. Repairs are still underway, and the volume of traffic remains considerably below normal capacity.
The railroads are investigating weather and track conditions as potential causes of the derailments. The derailments are not believed to be directly related to one another.