by Gilbert B Norman
Preliminary NTSB report on the incident is now available.
Railroad Forums
Moderator: Komachi
On December 30, 2013, about 1411 central standard time, a westbound BNSF Railway (BNSF) grain train, G-RYLRGT9-26A, derailed 13 cars at milepost 28.5 near Casselton, North Dakota. The grain train, operating on main track 1, consisted of two head-end locomotives, one rear distributed power locomotive, and 112 cars. One of the derailed cars, the 45th car from the head end, fouled main track 2. An eastbound BNSF petroleum crude oil unit train, U-FYNHAY4-05, operating on main track 2 collided with the derailed car that was fouling main track 2 and derailed the head-end locomotives and the first 21 cars of the train. The petroleum crude oil unit train consisted of two head-end locomotives, one rear distributed power locomotive, and 106 cars