Lincoln Co. first responders handle minor train derailment

First responders handled a minor train derailment Monday morning in the Trego area.

At about 11:30 a.m., Eureka Area Dispatch received a call that a train had derailed in Trego at the Fortine Creek Road railroad crossing.

This railroad crossing is part of a spur line system, not the main line.

Lincoln County emergency services including the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Agency, county Road Department and Trego Fortine Striker Volunteer Fire Department responded.

The Mission Mountain Railroad locomotive appeared to have derailed from the tracks due to ice on the road crossing during a slow speed maneuver of five freight cars loaded with lumber.

The locomotive remained upright. The five freight cars did not derail. The fifth freight car was blocking one lane of the two-lane road.

Trego Fire and LCSO remained on scene for traffic control until the freight car partially blocking the roadway could be moved. Traffic in both lanes was restored in both directions at about 3 p.m.

There was no reported damage to any rail cars, no reported injuries and no hazardous materials were involved.