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Heavy rains lead to train derailment near Glen Haven

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Emergency officials believe it was a mudslide or rockslide that caused a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train carrying empty semi trailers to derail south of Glen Haven the morning of July 1. (Grant County Emergency Managment photo)

Members of the Bagley Fire Department responded with their boat to help gather photos and assess the situation, so Grant County Emergency Management could determine whether there was a threat to people and assess the environmental impact. (Photo by Ron VanNatta)

Mother Nature unloaded on southwest Wisconsin Sunday. In addition to fierce winds, heavy rains hit the region. According to Grant County Emergency Management, some areas in northern Grant County received around 5-6 inches, even up to 8 inches in the Preston area. Tubes and shoulders were washed out, lots of debris and rock slid into culverts and some small mud slides occurred.

The most significant mudslide took place along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail line running along the Mississippi River south of Glen Haven Monday morning. It caused a partial derailment of a train carrying empty semi trailers. The rail line and Glen Haven boat landing were temporarily closed, with the landing being used as a staging area for crews cleaning up damaged cars.

“At about 9:15 a.m., a train reported striking a mudslide and derailing near Glen Haven,” said Amy McBeth, regional communications director for the railroad. According to McBeth, nine well cars carrying empty containers derailed, with part of one car was in the water. 

There were no injuries in the incident. 

BNSF crews worked Monday evening, and Tuesday on clearing the cars from the site. They’re repairing the tracks and estimate the tracks will reopen Tuesday evening.

The area around the derailment was inspected by members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, making sure there were no environmental issues as a result of the derailment.

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