Coal Train Derails Near Power Plant

A Union Pacific (UP) train carrying coal derailed near the Fayette Power Project Monday morning, June 30.

About a dozen rail cars and two locomotives came off the tracks around 7:30 a.m. near the intersection of Power Plant Rd. and Wessels Rd. A UP spokesperson said the locomotives and most of the rail cars derailed upright. Their wheels came off the tracks, but they did not tip over.

Rail crews placed the cars and locomotives back on the rails and they were removed from the area Tuesday morning. UP said no hazardous materials were involved, and no one was injured. The cause remains under investigation.

FPP uses low-sulfur coal from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming, which is delivered by rail.