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UPDATED: Union Pacific Coal Cars Derail West of Salina Sunday, Heat Likely Cause

UPDATE Monday 5:49 pm: Officials believe extreme heat is the likely cause behind part of a Union Pacific coal train to derailing in Saline County.

Sparks from Sunday’s derailment touched off a fire that scorched several acres of wheat stubble about six miles west of Salina. No injuries were reported.

The 106-car train was traveling from Denver to Kentucky. Twenty-seven cars went off the tracks, which were being replaced Monday.

Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis says extreme heat can cause metal tracks to expand and warp.

Cleanup was expected to be finished by Tuesday. Davis says six trains pass daily between Denver and Kansas City. The trains were being rerouted through Nebraska until the derailed train can be cleared.

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Update 6PM: Between 15 to 20 fully loaded coal cars of a Union Pacific train derailed just east of Bavaria, mid afternoon Sunday. The majority of the coal cars derailed west of the Muir Road/K-140 intersection, or across from Brightbuild Hot Rods. Three coal cars were derailed on the east side of the intersection.

A small grass fire that was sparked after the crash was quickly put out.

It appears train traffic along the rails on the south side of K-140 will be halted for some time to come.

No cause of derailment has been determined. The derailment is about 5 miles west of Salina.

 

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