(The Associated Press distributed the following article on December 17.)
LINCOLN, Calif. — An 86-car Union Pacific train derailed in Placer County Tuesday, closing a road for about four hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.
No one was injured, but 27 train cars carrying lumber and plastic pellets jumped the tracks in the derailment just after 8 a.m.
“They were stacked every which way,” said Larry Blevins, California Highway Patrol public information officer.
Industrial Avenue, the road that runs parallel to the tracks in south Placer County, was closed as officers made sure the area was safe and crews worked to clear the wreckage.
One train car was carrying a tanker that had contained a hazardous material, benzene liquid cleaning solvent, Blevins said.
Because some residue and fumes – which can be flammable – remained in the container, a hazardous materials crew was called to the scene, but no evacuations were necessary, Blevins said.
The Union Pacific train was headed south from Portland, Ore. to Roseville. It derailed just east of the Thunder Valley Casino.
The cause of the incident was under investigation, Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Mark Davis said.