OLNEY – BNSF Railway reopened its main line through Olney Sunday night, more than 24 hours after a freight train derailed there, closing part of U.S. Highway 93. Traffic was routed around the wreck on the Olney Loop Road while workers repaired the track.
According to BNSF spokesperson Matthew Jones, 45 empty coal cars derailed early Saturday afternoon. No one was injured in the incident and the cause is under investigation. The derailment happened just west of Olney on the U.S. Highway 93 underpass. At least two freight cars were derailed on top of the bridge and others were on their side. None of the cars landed on U.S. Highway 93, however the road was closed due to safety concerns.
The derailment also delayed Amtrak’s Empire Builder. According to Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari, the eastbound and westbound trains were held at Spokane and Whitefish until the tracks were clear.