Cause of derailment undetermined

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A cause for the derailment of four cars of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train is still undetermined, according to Gus Melonas, a BNSF spokesman. The incident occurred at about 11:30 Friday morning between Gladstone and Taylor.

“BNSF officials are continuing to investigate and at this point have not determined an official cause,” Melonas said.

He declined to comment on whether it’s possible that weather conditions — which dipped below zero Friday — contributed to the derailment.

One of the cars that derailed was put back on the tracks Friday, while the others were pulled out of the away.

Melonas said it could take three to four weeks to clear all the debris from the area, but the line which carries about 25 BNSF freight trains a day is open.

“We have resumed normal traffic flows,” Melonas said.

The train was traveling at about 17 mph when it derailed, and was headed to Laurel, Mont. Melonas said 13 of 73 cars of the train were carrying mixed freight, the other 60 cars, including the four which derailed, were empty.

The two crew members who were on the train at the time of the incident were not injured.

Tags: dickinson, railroad, derailment