Freight Train Goes Off Track Near Canada No One Hurt When 20 Rail Cars, Mostly Empty, Derail North Of Bonners Ferry

A freight train headed for Canada derailed north of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Sunday afternoon, sending 20 of its 50 cars off the tracks.

No injuries were reported in the 12:35 p.m. accident, which remained under investigation late Sunday.

Only one of the derailed cars was loaded, carrying steel. The rest were empty, according to Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Ed Trandahl.

The accident occurred about 20 miles north of Bonners Ferry between Moyie Springs and Meadow Creek.

None of the derailed cars was leaking, nor were they in the water. Only four rolled onto their sides.

Railroad derricks are being used to get the cars back on the tracks.

Shipments along Union Pacific’s branch line between Sandpoint and Canada likely will be delayed “a day or two,” Trandahl said.

The stretch of track is not a main line but “does have some business on it.”

The northbound train was out of Hermiston, Ore., and was bound for Eastport, Idaho, where UP trains heading into Canada interchange with Canadian Pacific Rail, Union Pacific spokesman John Bromley said.

The cause of the derailment was not known Sunday, nor were there estimates of damage to rail cars and track.

A Boundary County sheriff’s dispatcher said the train’s engine remained on the tracks.

No train fuel spills were reported.

Pacific Gas Transmission Co. officials inspected gas lines near the tracks. Rail cars had rolled onto the gas line right of way.

No gas leaks were detected, according to David Defoe of the company’s Spokane office.

“Our pipes in that area are quite deep because they’re so close to the river,” Defoe said.

A nearby derailment last summer drew hazardous materials units from Coeur d’Alene and Montana.

A Burlington Northern train lost eight cars near Clark Fork, one loaded with caustic soda. No one was injured in that accident.

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