Train derailment at Snowlip last week

More than 300 tons of corn spilled in wreck

By HEIDI DESCH

Hungry Horse News

Clean up is underway after a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad freight train derailed near Essex Friday morning.

Three cars on the 21-car train spilled corn onto the tracks when it derailed near the Blacktail area. It is estimated that slightly over 300 tons of corn was spilled, railroad spokesman Gus Melonas said.

Grain and corn spills in the past have attracted grizzly bears for months, resulting in some bears being killed.

Past spills prompted concern from bear specialists. Reactions having including using bear specialties to patrol the spill site and using an electronic device that senses movement and emits an annoying high-pitched noise to frighten away bears from spill sites.

Melonas said clean up from this spill is likely to take three to four weeks. Huge vacuums called "vaculators" are being used to cleaned up the spill.

"We want to ensure that the animals stay in their natural environment," said Melonas.

The westbound train had been traveling from Wilmar, Minn. to Kalama, Wash. with 111 cars loaded with corn and soybeans when it derailed.

Freight traffic was rerouted to Montana Rail Link's and Amtrak passengers were bused between Havre and Whitefish while the tracks were closed, Melonas said. The lines reopened Saturday.

There were no injuries and the cause is being investigated.