Cleanup from derailed train near Lancaster, Minn., may take days; emergency manager reports 'no leaking'

Jun. 1—LANCASTER, Minn. — Cleanup of a train derailment in extreme northwest Minnesota may take 10 days or more, but as of Thursday afternoon, there were no leaks of hazardous materials, according to a county emergency director.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City crews spent Thursday at the site of the derailment, along Highway 59 about four miles south of Lancaster, Minnesota. The cause of the derailment is under investigation, said CPKC in a statement.

The derailment of the train — operated by CPKC, the company formerly known simply as Canadian Pacific —

happened late on Wednesday afternoon between Lake Bronson, Minnesota, and Lancaster.

Highway 59 north of Lake Bronson to Lancaster was closed for the derailment on Wednesday afternoon and remains closed. According to CPKC, there were no injuries as a result of the derailment.

Around 25 cars were involved in the derailment, including 13 hazardous materials cars. According to CPKC, six cars contained naphtha and two cars contained decene.

Kittson County Emergency Manager Scot Olson said other cars were carrying lumber and grain.

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CPKC confirmed on Thursday afternoon there were no leaks from rail cars as a result of the derailment.

"We lucked out on that," Olson said. "They've got almost all the cars cleared out and there has been no leaking at all, no breach or anything like that."

As a precautionary measure against potential leaks, county workers diked nearby culverts.

CPKC has removed derailed cars from the tracks and is working to cut up the cars for removal, Olson said. Cleanup could take 10 or more days, although the track is open and available for use. Olson said a train passed the site Thursday afternoon.

"At this point, we have received permission from the state (Department of Transportation) to keep Highway 59 closed," Olson said.

Train derailment 2.jpg

A train derailed near Lancaster, Minnesota, on Wednesday, May 31. (Matt Henson / WDAY)

Around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said "the highway will remain closed to allow local responders, rail inspectors and cleanup crews to continue their work. The detour is expected to be lifted by June 14."

While the highway will remain closed, CPKC reopened the rail corridor Thursday afternoon after completing track repairs and safety inspections, it said in a statement.

"Our teams continue to coordinate with the local first responders and regulatory agencies, including the EPA and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, on clean-up of the involved railcars, which have been removed from the track, and restoration of the site," read the CPKC statement.

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State Rep. John Burkel, R-Badger, and a staff member from the office of U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minnesota, came to view the derailment. They were invited by Canadian Pacific to the incident command trailer, a staging area beyond the road closure signs. Members of the media were not allowed at the same staging area.

Burkel said he plans to make sure lines of communication are open between CPKC, the state and area residents.

"I'm just here to know that the state is talking to them," Burkel said. "I'm just glad no one was hurt — that's the main thing."

Lionel Labarre of nearby Hallock, Minnesota, was among local residents who came to try to catch a glimpse of the derailment. From a gravel road east of the railway, he said he thinks trains, especially CPKC trains, move too fast through the area for the condition of the tracks and the ground.

"It's a good thing it didn't happen in Lancaster — there are a lot of residents right around that track," he said. "Maybe they'll do their due diligence and maintain (the track) maybe a little more than they are."

The incident has sparked responses from other state and federal leaders. Gov. Tim Walz tweeted late Wednesday night: "State officials are working with local emergency managers after a train derailed near Lancaster. Glad to hear that no injuries are reported and the site is contained. Experts are on the way to survey the site and make sure the community has everything they need."

State officials are working with local emergency managers after a train derailed near Lancaster. Glad to hear that no injuries are reported and the site is contained. Experts are on the way to survey the site and make sure the community has everything they need.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 1, 2023

In a statement Thursday morning, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar called for stronger rail safety protocols.

"While I'm relieved to hear that there were no injuries and there's no danger to residents at this time, families shouldn't have to worry that a possible derailment could put them and their community in harm's way," Klobuchar said. "It's past time to put in place stronger rail safety standards and more accountability for violations."

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Klobuchar is a cosponsor of the Railway Safety Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation introduced in the wake of the

train derailment in East Palestine

, Ohio, in February. The bill would increase inspections on trains that carry hazardous materials, require rail carriers to have emergency response plans, and increase penalties for rail companies when crashes happen, according to the release.

The derailment near Lancaster is the second CPKC derailment in the region this week. On Tuesday, May 30,

six cars from a CPKC train left the railway

near Balfour, North Dakota, in McHenry County. Three of the containers contained hazardous materials, but there were no leaks, according to CPKC.

Earlier this year

there was another derailment in Minnesota. In March, a BNSF train derailed near Raymond. The 22 rail cars contained ethanol, which caught fire, and corn syrup.