(The following article was posted on the Hutchinson News website on August 22.)
ARLINGTON, Kansas — Nine cars carrying vehicles on a westbound Union Pacific train derailed Monday night, blocking the intersection of K-14 and Arlington’s Main Street.
Six of the train cars rolled over, and three left the track but remained upright, Reno County Emergency Manager Bill Guy said.
While there were no people hurt, one car rolled out of the vehicle carrier and damaged equipment at the Cairo Co-op Equity Exchange alongside the train tracks in Arlington.
“Debris slammed into the elevator’s dust equipment,” said Fire Chief Jeff Fountain with Reno County Fire District No. 4. Two power line poles were hit, snapping a cable television line.
The derailment, which occurred at about 6:57 p.m., according to Guy, was under investigation. No estimate of damage had been determined Monday night.
“This is the very same spot where 49 cars derailed on May 13, 2000,” Fountain said. At that time, the train was carrying hazardous materials and the wreck punctured one of the co-op’s fuel tanks, causing a fire.
Along with Reno County Fire District No. 4, emergency crews responding to the derailment Monday included the Reno County Sheriff’s Department, crews with the Union Pacific Railroad, Midwest Energy and the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Fountain said the crews would remain on the scene throughout the night.