Railroad Freight Cars Carrying Corn Derail in Nevada, No Injuries Reported

On February 28, 2024, a significant incident took place in the northeast Nevada city of Elko, as sixteen railroad freight cars carrying corn derailed in the early hours of the morning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved in the derailment.

Details of the Derailment

The Union Pacific train derailed just before 5 a.m., striking a bridge support pillar and causing the grain hoppers to pile against each other and a sound wall. This incident raised concerns about the structural integrity of the 12th Street overpass, which crosses the Humboldt River and serves as a stop for Amtrak passenger trains.

Cause of the Derailment

According to Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver, the cause of the derailment is currently under investigation, and engineers from the Nevada Department of Transportation will inspect the overpass before it is reopened to ensure its safety.

Impact and Cleanup

The cleanup and inspections following the derailment were expected to take at least 24 hours, leading to traffic disruptions and the blocking of eastbound and westbound train traffic. This derailment also affected the tracks serving Amtrak passenger trains between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay area, causing delays for several California Zephyr passenger trains.

Community Impact and Response

While it remains unclear if any individuals were in close proximity to the derailment site, it was reported that a power pole was knocked down during the incident. Despite this, Meghin Delaney, a spokesperson for Nevada Energy, assured that electric service to nearby homes and businesses was not interrupted.

The investigation into this derailment continues as authorities work to determine the root cause and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The safety of both rail infrastructure and surrounding communities remains a top priority in the aftermath of this impactful event.