(The following story by Mark Sommerhauser appeared on the Winona Daily News website on May 6, 2009.)
WINONA, Minn. — East End residents got a slimy surprise Friday when their homes and cars were sprayed with oil from a locomotive on a nearby rail line, state officials say.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating the incident, which occurred on a rail line parallel to Front Street near Mankato Avenue. At least one witness saw a locomotive spray the oil on Friday afternoon, though neither Union Pacific Railroad nor Canadian Pacific Railway — the two companies that use the line — have claimed responsibility.
Black, greasy speckles still cover homes and cars along Front Street from High Forest to Chatfield Street, and dark oil stains also dot the ground along the rail line that follows Front Street.
“There are a bunch of kids here on this block, so it’s a big concern,” said Cindy Hanson, a mother of three whose home and two vehicles were splattered with the grease.
MPCA spokeswoman Cathy Rofshus said a locomotive apparently discharged “a small amount” of oil, but the incident should have minimal health or environmental effects.
“We’re talking about a very small amount,” Rofshus said.
Union Pacific is investigating to determine if its locomotive was linked to the incident, a spokesman for the company said. Canadian Pacific sent investigators to the neighborhood on Monday, but a spokesman said he is “pretty confident” his company wasn’t responsible.
City council members George Borzyskowski and Debbie White noted at Monday night’s meeting that they received calls about the incident. Borzyskowski — whose 4th Ward includes the affected neighborhood — said the rail company responsible for the mess should clean it up.