Coal train derails in Columbia River Gorge

PASCO — A railroad spokesman says about 30 cars of a 125-car coal train bound from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to British Columbia have derailed along a Columbia River Gorge route east of Pasco, blocking a main rail line. Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas said no injuries were reported in the Monday evening derailment. He says the majority of the derailed cars ended up on their sides and an undetermined amount of coal spilled. Melonas says no environmental threat was reported. Railroad officials are on site and the cause of the derailment is under investigation. Melonas says more than 30 trains use that track daily. Heavy equipment was being dispatched from Pasco to shove the rail cars off the line so crews can replaced the damaged tracks. BNSF hopes to reopen the rail line as soon as today. Melonas says some rail traffic is being rerouted via Wenatchee, as well as the Seattle to Vancouver, Wash., route.