Grain Train Derailment Near Oswego, No Injuries or Hazards

On April 7 at approximately 5:30 a.m., a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train carrying grain derailed just east of the town of Oswego. According to BNSF spokesman Ross Lane, there were no injuries, or hazardous materials spills as a result of the accident.

BNSF reported that nearly 30 fully-loaded cars had left the tracks, and that no damage to adjacent property or other vehicles occurred. The entire span of 30 cars were crammed into a distance of a few hundred feet along the track's embankment.

Crews began clean up immediately and worked around the clock, despite challenging winter weather conditions and freezing temperatures. According to Lane, the tracks were clear by 3:30 p.m., April 8. Following tests of the track and signals, rail traffic was flowing again Sunday afternoon.

BNSF is currently investigating the cause of the accident and anticipates releasing that information to the public months in the future. Lane sent the following in an email April 9: "The investigation into the derailment remains open. As is typical, BNSF continues to gather information about the incident and will first present findings to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). That process can take a few months in some cases."