Google Maps illustration, with augmentation by William C. Vantuono. “At around 6:15 a.m. PT, July 29, a Union Pacific mixed freight train derailed on a bridge in Tempe, Ariz.,” UP said in a statement to Railway Age. “Eight to 10 railcars were on fire. The south side of the bridge collapsed and railcars fell into an empty park below. The bridge received its annual inspection July 9, 2020. The Phoenix Fire Department is on the scene. One person was treated for smoke inhalation. The train crew is uninjured. Three tank cars were on the ground under the bridge. Two contained cyclohexanone; one contained a rubber material. None are reported leaking, and no tank cars were involved in the fire. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.” Valley Metro said that light rail service would be delayed in the area, as its line through Tempe runs next to the UP bridge. Buses were being deployed to move passengers around the fire. Photo: Fox News 10 The call was escalated to a third alarm, which means more resources from all over the Valley were assigned to it. Photo: Fox News 10 According to the City of Tempe, The Salt River Union Pacific Bridge was first built in 1912, and has survived floods that destroyed three other truss bridges in the same location. Photo: Fox News 10 “We are directing aircraft north or south of the incident scene to minimize aircraft-noise distraction to fire crews,” an FAA spokesman said. Although planes are being diverted around the incident, operations at Sky Harbor Airport are running as usual. “At this time, there are no impacts to our operations,” a spokesman said. Photo: Fox News 10 Traffic and Light Rail Restrictions Valley Metro said that light rail service would be delayed in the area, as its line through Tempe runs next to the UP bridge. Buses were being deployed to move passengers around the fire. Click here for traffic restrictions in the area. The post UP Train Derails, Catches Fire on Bridge: Report appeared first on Railway Age. Continue reading...
