Dateline: December 15, 2005

BNSF coal train derails inside Clarendon

By Roger  Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clean up continues this week after a southbound Burlington Northern-Santa Fe coal train derailed in Clarendon last Thursday morning.

Twenty-seven loaded coal cars of the 121-car, three-engine train derailed north of the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of East First Street. Coal and mangled metal littered the scene around cars, which had been smashed together and some of which were jutting into the air.

BNSF Director of Public Affairs Joe Faust said the railroad is still looking into the cause of the derailment, but he did confirm that a bridge was demolished during the wreck.

Faust said no one was injured in the accident, which happened about 6 a.m.

The train crew notified the railroad dispatcher who in turn notified local authorities. But despite some citizens having heard the wreck or seen its aftermath, the Donley County Sheriff’s Department did not receive any local calls about the accident until 8 a.m. even though part of the end of the train was blocking the crossing at Kearney Street.

 Crews from Hulcher Professional Services were dispatched to Clarendon, and the BNSF railway was reopened at 4 a.m. on Friday, Faust said.

The train originated in Caballo, Wyoming, and was bound for Iola, Texas. Each coal car carries an estimated 120 tons of coal, but coal recovered from the wreckage is not salvageable, Faust said. Some wrecked cars will remain in Clarendon until railroad officials can determine their usefulness.