(The following article by Abe Estimada was posted on kgw.com on June 15.)
SALEM, Ore. — A train derailment near downtown Salem briefly snarled traffic on Tuesday afternoon as crews tried to get the cars underway again.
Four cars from the train derailed and were on their sides, said Lt. John Hoffmeister of the Salem police department. The derailment was first reported about 2:50 p.m. near the intersection of Front and State streets and Riverfront Park.
Crews were bringing in cranes to make the trains upright again, Hoffmeister said. It is unknown what caused the rail cars to tip.
“The signals just started operating again, and the traffic is moving along at a smaller pace,” Hoffmeister said shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Oregon Department of Transportation was also assisting in clearing up the derailment, which hurt no one.