(The Associated Press circulated the following article on April 19.)
ELMIRA, Idaho — A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway train derailed near this small town north of Sandpoint, railway spokesman Gus Melonas says.
There were no injuries, Melonas said.
About 13 of the train’s 105 grain cars derailed at 11:15 p.m. Monday night, Melonas said. Two cars remained upright and 11 tipped over.
The cause of the derailment has not been established, Melonas said. The train was traveling about 22 mph in a 50 mph zone.
About 40 trains use the line each day. The tracks were expected to reopen late Tuesday, Melonas said.
Amtrak was busing passengers on its Empire Builder train between Libby, Mont., and Spokane, Wash.
The freight train originated in Wolf Point, Mont., and was bound for Kalama, Wash., Melonas said.
Separately, five BNSF cars derailed at a switching facility east of Minot early Monday, Melonas said. The cars derailed during a routine low-speed switching operation about 6:45 a.m., and no one was hurt, he said.
The cars were carrying lumber and veneer products and no hazardous material, and the derailment did not affect the BNSF main line, he said.