From the Union Pacific website:
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/2005/galt.shtml
Galt, IL Derailment
Update: May 6, 2005
The temporary crossing over Elkhorn Creek was finished Thursday evening and the first train operated over it just before 7 p.m. Crews are now focusing on rebuilding the bridge, which will continue through next week.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Update: May 5, 2005
Construction of the temporary trackage around the damaged double track bridge near Galt, Ill. continues and should be completed tonight. This will provide a single-track route with a reduced train speed through the site. Final replacement of the bridge will not be completed until the middle of next week. During this time, some traffic will continue to be re-routed on alternative lines. Customers should expect 48- to 72-hour delays on shipments into and out of Chicago.
May 4, 2005
A Union Pacific Railroad freight train going from North Platte, Neb., to Chicago, Ill., experienced a 31-car derailment Tuesday, May 3, at 5:30 p.m. CDT just west of Galt, Ill. There were no injuries.
Galt is about 125 miles west of Chicago, near the Illinois/Iowa border.
A two track 140-foot bridge over Elkhorn Creek, just west of Galt, was heavily damaged and will have to be replaced. A temporary crossing over the creek is being constructed using five pipes, with an average diameter of 100 inches, 36,000 tons of ballast and 1,800 feet of track. This will enable Union Pacific to operate trains around the damaged bridge. The temporary creek crossing is expected to be completed late Thursday, May 5.
An average of 60 trains a day operate over this corridor between Chicago and Iowa which handles rail traffic to the West Coast. We are working with all railroads to establish detours and currently have identified more than 40 detour opportunities using these other railroads.
Of the 31 cars derailed:
- eight contained lumber or plywood;
- seven contained canned tomatoes;
- five contained potatoes;
- three contained soda ash;
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- four were empties;
- two contained loads of salt;
- one contained fertilizer and
- one contained manganese.
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The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/2005/galt.shtml
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