Freight Trains Crash in Washington; Amtrak Service Cancelled till Thursday

Burlington Northern Santa Fe owns the tracks and was working to clear the derailment.

One of the Coast Starlight trains used by Amtrak. Photo: Amtrak.com

(DUPONT, Wash.) - Train tracks are closed today between Seattle and Portland after a freight train collision near DuPont, Washington.

The accident occurred at about 3:00 AM, knocking out power for the city of DuPont and closing the Old Nisqually Road on the east side of Interstate 5 near the Mounts Road exit near the Fort Lewis golf course.

According to the AP a northbound Union Pacific train had stopped when it was clipped by a southbound train on a parallel track. Several cars on each train derailed. Fire department spokeswoman Jenny Sharp says three people on a derailed engine were not injured.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe owns the tracks and was working to clear the derailment. Emergency responders and railroad crews were also assessing a possible fuel spill near the Nisqually River.

Amtrak says the route is used by the Cascades and Coast Starlight trains. Service is expected to be unavailable until sometime Thursday. Service north of Seattle and south of Portland is not directly affected.

Amtrak said chartered motorcoaches will carry passengers for some of the four Cascades round trips between Seattle and Portland.

Some portions of the individual trips (trains 500, 501, 506, 507, 508, 513, 516) will be canceled, and passengers will be directed to the remaining frequencies maintained by buses.

The Coast Starlight (trains 11 and 14) will originate and terminate in Eugene instead of Seattle.

Alternate transportation by motorcoach will be provided between Seattle, Portland and Eugene.

Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.