Freight train derails near West Glacier

Two separate train derailments across the state on Jan. 25 stopped rail traffic through northern Montana last week.

Four BNSF Railway locomotives and a car with three containers derailed as they pulled over on a siding just west of West Glacier at about 2:45 a.m.

No one was injured, but it took BNSF and contractor crews about 24 hours to right the cars and the locomotives and to repair the tracks. The cars were righted first and then pulled away by another train. The locomotives took more time.

Another freight train derailed as it was pulling off onto a siding 10 miles west of Cut Bank about 6:15 a.m. the same day. That train was re-railed as well.

Both trains were eastbound from Washington. No cargo spilled in the mishap, but Amtrak had to bus passengers around the wrecks until service was restored.