Valley Chapel Road blocked by derailed train

A Union Pacific train derailed Thursday afternoon and is completely blocking Valley Chapel Road just west of Highway 27 near Rockford.

The front end of the lead locomotive is partially off the track and the road will be closed until Union Pacific can get the engine back on the tracks. Crews will also check for damage to the tracks and may have to do repairs, said UP media director Justin Jacobs.

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation but appears to be ice on the tracks, Jacobs said. There is no estimate of how long the road will be shut down but it is expected to be closed at least until Friday morning.

No other cars on the train left the tracks and all the cars, including the derailed engine, are upright. No one was injured, Jacobs said.