FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A 14-car derailment blocked BNSF Railway’s main line east of Flagstaff on Monday, disrupting freight traffic as well as Amtrak’s Southwest Chief.
A BNSF spokesperson told local media outlets the accident occurred at 5:14 a.m., and that no hazardous materials were involved. A BNSF service advisory placed the derailment site at Darling, Ariz., about 15 miles east of Flagstaff and did not offer an estimate when service would be restored.
Southwest Chief trains were halted by the derailment at Flagstaff and Albuquerque on Monday, with a bus bridge operating between the two cities and the trains turned at those locations. As of 7:30 a.m. CDT Tuesday, the eastbound Chief, which would normally arrive in Chicago at 2:50 p.m., is scheduled to arrive at 12:41 a.m. Wednesday. The westbound Chief is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles at 11:19 a.m., some 3 hours, 19 minutes late.
