Union Pacific - Pontiac, IL
N 40° 50.779 W 088° 39.486
16T E 360224 N 4523019
Quick Description: Ten of thirty-three cars derail on Northbound Union Pacific freight train April 23, 2008 just south of Pontiac, IL.
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 6/30/2008 10:43:32 PM
Waymark Code: WM439A
Views: 28
Long Description:We were on our way to the Route 66 Festival in Litchfield, IL. when
we looked over towards the tracks and saw these four grain hoppers
on their side. We knew there had to be something somewhere on this
information highway.
After a few speed bumps this is what we found out.
Ten empty grain cars at the end of the train derailed about 9:38
a.m. Wednesday April 23, 2008 near the intersection of Old Route 66
and Livingston County Road 1500 North, Officials said. Of those
cars, four were on their sides.
The train had seven cars hauling Prairie Central Co-op grain
from Lexington, but 26 cars were empty, said Union Pacific
spokesman James Barnes. The loaded cars were in the front half of
the train, which did not derail.
A witness reported seeing the back of the train start to bounce
before the derailment, but Barnes said the cause remains under
investigation.
Fortunately, there were no injuries and no materials spilled,
Barnes said.