Train derailment causes mess near Milford
Sep 2, 2018, 9:44 PM | Updated: 9:44 pm
A Union Pacific engine sits idle on tracks north of Milford, Utah following a derailment on Aug. 31, 2018. Image courtesy Troy Olsen.
DELTA — Strong, unexpected wind gusts are believed responsible for a train derailment in Utah’s West Desert on Friday afternoon.
Union Pacific said 23 cars derailed about 20 miles north of Milford on tracks that run parallel to Utah State Route 257. No injuries occurred as a result of the derailment, however clean-up required closure of the tracks for roughly a day.
Photos provided to KSL by Troy Olsen showed several damaged cargo containers sitting between the rails and the highway.
Damaged cargo containers sit alongside Utah SR-257 north of Milford following a train derailment on Aug. 31, 2018. Image courtesy Troy Olsen.
Union Pacific spokesman Justin Jacobs said railroad crews were able to clear or reseat the derailed cars by about 8 a.m. on Saturday. Repairs to the track itself were completed around 6 p.m.
Jacobs said the cause of the mishap is still under investigation but strong wind is a likely culprit. He said Union Pacific communicates with the National Weather Service but the winds present at the time of the accident were not predicted.
