(The following report appeared at KTBS.com on May 21, 2010.)
SHREVEPORT, La. — A train derailment in Caddo Parish led to the spill of approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel after a locomotive fuel tank ruptured.
The derailment happened just before 6 a.m. at Flournoy Lucas Road and Pinkarde Road. Caddo sheriff’s deputies said two locomotives of a Union Pacific freight train jumped the tracks.
The train was being operated by remote control and did not have an engineer, deputies said. They believe a problem with the switcher might have caused the derailment.
Deputies said the leaking diesel fuel is not considered a public hazard and there’s no need for evacuations.