BNSF is cleaning up its second derailment at the Springfield yard in three weeks. The most recent incident occurred on Monday evening when seven coal cars rolled off the tracks. Four of the derailed cars landed on their side but according to BNSF spokesperson Andy Williams, the incident did not cause any disruptions to service and unlike the January 14th derailment, no hazardous materials were involved and there was no threat to the environment or residents.
The cars that derailed three weeks ago were carrying anhydrous ammonia and ethylene oxide. Both are potentially dangerous chemicals that could have lead to an evacuation of local residents had anything leaked during the incident.
Larry Woods, the Director of the Springfield-Greene Co. Office of Emergency Management, said “The Burlington Northern railroad has a very effective response plan in place that they utilize. They have in-house folks that are trained in that as well as contractors that are on-call 24/7 to come in and remediate any type of hazard. I’m not gonna say that there’s not anything out there that we haven’t thought of,” Woods emphasized. “Because as soon as you say that there will be one thing that comes up. But I think we do a pretty good job of it.”
BNSF cleans up second derailment in 3 weeks at Springfield rail yard
