EDWALL — A Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train derailment about 30 miles west of Spokane has blocked the main rail route between Seattle and Spokane.
Railroad spokesman Gus Melonas says it’s blocking Amtrak trains and some freight trains.
Melonas says 16 empty cars derailed at 12:05 a.m. today as the train bound for Seattle was pulling out of a siding at Edwall. There were no injuries. The cars remained upright. Nothing hazardous spilled.
About three dozen people and equipment from Pasco are working to re-rail the cars. They expect to reopen the track by about 3 p.m. today.
Melonas said the freight train was traveling about 10 miles per hour when it derailed at the siding. About 1,000 feet of track was damaged.
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