UP COAL TRAIN DERAILS NEAR FREMONT, NEBRASKA FREMONT, NE -- Seven Union Pacific Railroad coal cars headed for Sioux City derailed around noon Wednesday at Troxel Siding, west of Fremont, Nebraska. Photo here: [www.fremontneb.com] Caption reads: Several Union Pacific coal cars derailed Wednesday just west of Fremont. All of the cars were loaded with coal. (Photo by Chris Bristol/Fremont Tribune) Three cars, each carrying about 100 tons of coal, landed on their sides during the derailment. UP crews were still cleaning up the spilled coal at 17:30. An employee on scene said the derailment likely was caused by ties weakened due to age and extreme weather. James Barnes, UP spokesman, said the exact cause still is under investigation. There were 111 cars in the train. Barnes said no one was injured and the track was expected to be back in business by 9:45 p.m. There was no chemical release during the derailment. The three ruined coal cars will be cut up for scrap. The spilled coal also will be disposed of, the employee on scene said. Troxel Siding is located west of the main entrance into Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area. - The Fremont Tribune
