(The Sacramento Bee posted the following story by Jane Braxton Little on its website on February 5.)
HAMILTON BRANCH, Calif. — A major north-south rail line remained closed Tuesday while workers cleared a 17-car derailment from tracks near Lake Almanor in Plumas County.
The derailed cars were part of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway train bound for Barstow from British Columbia, said Lena Kent, a railroad spokeswoman.
The train was carrying lumber, particleboard, iron products, coiled steel and printing paper.
The derailment late Sunday night damaged 1,000 feet of track but caused no injuries, Kent said.
Workers hoped to reopen the rail line by this morning.