Twelve Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail tanker cars -- three full of a
flammable liquid -- derailed on June 30 in Galesburg train yard while
being pushed by a remote control locomotive.
No injuries or evacuations were caused by the accident, which occurred
at 2:30 a.m. Ten of the 12 cars remained upright, and nine of them were
empty. The two that overturned were full of benzene, which did not leak.
The derailed cars were removed by 2 p.m.
Galesburg firefighters spent nearly 12 hours at the scene, with an
unmanned fire hose pointed at the downed tankers in case the explosive
cargo ignited, according to battalion Chief Tom Simkins. He said the
fire department was leaving the investigation up to the railroad.
The cars were being pushed onto a departure track by a remote-control
engine when the 12 tankers, which were between cars 13 and car 29,
derailed. No. 14 was the first to leave the track, with 15, 23 and 24
not derailing.
Two weeks ago, the City Council voted down a resolution that would have
requested a review by the Federal Railroad Administration of the safety
of remote-control locomotives and regulations for their use. The measure
failed because council members felt they did not have the authority to
make such a request.
12 tankers jump track in Galesburg remote control wreck
