Train fuel tank in Oregon punctured; 2,000 gallons spilled

Published 2:35 pm Tuesday, December 23, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. — A railroad spokesman says investigators are investigating the possibility somebody sabotaged a train in downtown Bend on Tuesday, setting a length of metal in a position to puncture a locomotive fuel tank.

Gus Melonas of BNSF says about 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled, and a cleanup is underway. Nobody was injured.

Melonas says there were two locomotives and three cars in the train, making a run from nearby Prineville with cement and propane.

He says the metal was a piece of track, but not part of the line the train was on.

He says the train was doing about 30 mph, and the metal tore the bottom of the fuel tank.

Two vehicle crossings and an underpass were closed. The rail line has been reopened.