Crews cleaning up train derailment near Spangle

Crews are working to clean up the site where a train carrying grain derailed between Spangle and Plaza on July 21.

At about 7 p.m. Friday, the Washington and Idaho Railway-owned train was traveling north when it derailed near Spangle Waverly Road, said Bob Westby, Palouse River and Coulee City Railway manager. Palouse and Coulee City Railway is part of the Washington State Department of Transportation and owns the line.

Four of about 110 cars were derailed. The first car tipped completely on its side, and the rest of the cars tilted at an angle. The train was traveling at about 10 mph, which is typical on state-owned lines, Westby said. The highest speed any train ever travels on that line is 25 mph.

At this time, it is believed that a broken rail caused the train to derail, however, Westby said the transportation department still is investigating the incident.

“The track was pretty well destroyed,” he said.

Washington and Idaho Railroad crews are working to get tracks back in operation by the end of the week, Westby said.

“It’s really quite a mess in a train derailment,” he said.