Derailment in Montana closes rail line

MISSOULA – A predawn train derailment about five miles west of Helena prompted a daylong closure of Montana Rail Links’ main line from Spokane to Billings on Wednesday.

Rail link spokeswoman Lynda Frost said 18 cars of a 96-car eastbound train left the tracks about 3:30 a.m.

Twelve of the cars were empty.

Six cars carried loads of lumber and fiberboard.

Frost said there were no injuries and the train carried no hazardous materials.

She said about 1,000 feet of track were destroyed in the derailment and estimated it would take crews 18 to 20 hours to clean up the mess and reopen the line.

An investigation into what caused the derailment is under way.