Montana Train Derailment Sends Tanker Cars into Yellowstone River

A Montana Rail Link (MRL) train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Columbus, Montana, on Saturday morning, causing a bridge to collapse and several rail cars to fall into the Yellowstone River. Eight tanker cars were damaged, leaking asphalt and molten sulfur near the river. However, local officials stated these substances are 'slow moving' and have not spread far from the incident site.

Multiple agencies are responding and taking necessary precautions, but no immediate threat to Yellowstone County is reported. No injuries occurred, and the cause of the derailment is being investigated. The incident happened while MRL, a Class II regional railroad, is transitioning operations to BNSF Railway, following a buyout approval from the Surface Transportation Board in March.

Source: FreightWaves