The train, BNSF Railway H-KCKSPO1-28, was traveling west on MRL’s Fourth Subdivision on July 3 when 19 cars derailed about 4 p.m. just east of the Fish Creek Trestle, about 45 miles west of Missoula. No one was injured in the incident.
Three of the six of the cars carrying fuselages went down the embankment and landed in the water. Other derailed cars included three enclosed cars of Boeing parts, six idler flats, two covered hoppers, and a tank car. The aircraft components were in transit from Kansas to Boeing’s assembly plant in Renton, Wash. On Saturday, Boeing officials told the Wall Street Journal that it was assessing the damage to the fuselages and it was unclear if they could still be used.
Officials with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks agency were on hand Friday monitoring the cleanup. However, they decided against closing the river for recreation use because of the holiday.
The Fourth Subdivision was closed from Thursday until midday Saturday while crews worked over the holiday weekend to clear the wreck and rebuild the track. Hulcher Services of Pasco, Wash., and RJ Corman of Billings assisted with the cleanup. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
While the line was closed, MRL detoured some trains over its Tenth Subdivision between Missoula and Paradise, where it rejoins the Fourth Subdivision. The detours forced the railroad to use helpers over Evaro Hill west of Missoula, a rare sight in the MRL era.
Trains News Wire is awaiting additional information from the railroad.
For more on the Boeing 737 moves, see the May 2014 issue of Trains magazine.
