Skip to main content
We may receive compensation from affiliate partners for some links on this site. Read our full Disclosure here.

Train Derailment in Minnesota, Hazardous Materials Onboard


Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that a train derailed near Lancaster, Minnesota.

“State officials are working with local emergency managers after a train derailed near Lancaster. Glad to hear that no injuries are reported and the site is contained. Experts are on the way to survey the site and make sure the community has everything they need,” Walz wrote.

According to reports, the Canadian Pacific train carried hazardous materials.

Here’s footage of the derailment:

Lancaster sits roughly 10 miles south of the Minnesota/Canadian border.

Fox News reports:

According to WCCO, the train contained 24 freight cars, including some with hazardous materials. None have leaked, per the report.

It happened about 10 miles from the U.S. border with Canada.

The derailment comes a day after another CPKC freight train, also carrying hazardous materials, fell off the tracks near Balfour, North Dakota.

Six freight cars and a locomotive derailed in McHenry County at approximately 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, KMOT-TV reported.

According to the report, three of the freight cars contained hazardous materials but nothing leaked. The derailment site was cleared and reopened to train traffic by Wednesday morning.

The cleanup is expected to take over a week.

Grand Forks Herald added:

Cleanup of a train derailment in extreme northwest Minnesota may take 10 days or more, but as of Thursday afternoon, there were no leaks of hazardous materials, according to a county emergency director.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City crews spent Thursday at the site of the derailment, along Highway 59 about four miles south of Lancaster, Minnesota.

The derailment of the train — operated by CPKC, the company formerly known simply as Canadian Pacific — happened late on Wednesday afternoon between Lake Bronson, Minnesota, and Lancaster. Highway 59 north of Lake Bronson to Lancaster was closed for the derailment on Wednesday afternoon and remains closed. No injuries have been reported.

Kittson County Emergency Manager Scot Olson said 26 cars were involved in the derailment, including 13 tank cars carrying flammable liquids. Most were carrying low-level flammable liquid and six cars were carrying liquid asphalt, Olson said. Other cars were carrying lumber and grain.



 

Join the conversation!

Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!

Leave a comment
Thanks for sharing!