Sandhills/North Platte/Panhandle Post
Chappell, Neb. - Union Pacific is currently investigating what caused a intermodal train to derail Sunday afternoon in Chappell.
According to Union Pacific Spokesperson Meg Siffring, at about 4:00 p.m. CT/3:00 p.m. MT, on April 14, approximately 35 Union Pacific train cars derailed near Highway 385 and Junky Rd in Chappell. The UP train was traveling along the Sidney Subdivision.
The train derailment caused US Highway 30 in both directions to close from Lodgepole to US Highway 21 for about 2 hours. Traffic was being diverted to I-80 as an alternate route during the time. The west side of Chappell was evacuated but the evacuation was lifted around 7:45 p.m. CT/6:45 p.m. MT according to the Chappell Volunteer Fire Department.
According to Siffring in a written statement to the POST, there were no injuries. Cleanup is underway, and the cause of the derailment is under investigation.
-----
Click here to view photos from Sunday's train derailment.
Original Story
Sandhills Post/Panhandle Post/North Platte Post
Chappell, Neb. - A Union Pacific Intermodal train derailed Sunday afternoon in the small town of Chappell. The train derailment caused US Highway 30 in both directions to close from Lodgepole to US Highway 21 for about 2 hours. US Highway 30 is now open in both directions according to NE 511. The derailment blocked both tracks. The UP train was traveling along the Sidney Subdivision.
Union Pacific crews are on scene working on the cleanup process of the derailment. It is unknown what caused the train to derail, if there are any injuries or fatalities resulting from the derailment at this time. The POST has reached out to Union Pacific and is awaiting a response.
***This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.