Train cars derail in Plains

Two railroad cars came off the tracks last Saturday evening at 10:15 near the Willis Street railroad crossing in Plains.

According to Montana Rail Link Public Information Officer Lynda Frost, the cars were part of an empty coal train that was eastbound on the Plains tracks. The cause of the mishap is unknown, but is currently under investigation.

“It could be a variety of reasons,” Frost said. “It could be track related, equipment, so it’s really difficult to speculate.”

The main line was closed after the accident and workers were able to reopen it by 8 a.m. the following Sunday morning. The accident caused minor delays.

Plains resident Mary Halling was traveling through downtown Plains at the time and was a witness to the accident.

“My son, who is 11, was looking at the train, noticed a bunch of sparks and said ‘Gee, is that normal?’” Halling said.

According to Halling, one of the wheels on a car was seized, and when the car reached the concrete road crossing, several of them jumped into the air. Halling said that the cars all came back down on the tracks.

“From the trail of debris, you could see it was all coming apart,” Halling said.

There were three cars waiting at the crossing at the time that Halling called the police dispatch.

“It was a scary deal. Those poor people in those cars must have been freaked,” Halling said. “It’s just a miracle that the whole thing didn’t come apart.”

Halling is thankful that her son Harrison was able to notice what was going on, and that no one was injured in the incident.

“I’m glad it turned out the way it did. It could have been so ugly,” Halling said.