Derailment cleanup continues in Paradise

Montana Rail Link continues to work on cleanup operations along the tracks at the site of a derailment from a week earlier, but they continue to refuse to answer some of the simple questions concerning the work.

It had been reported that they removed the derailed car loaded with propane, but MRL spokesman Andy Garland refuses to confirm or deny that it was moved. Several derailed cars are still alongside the railroad tracks on the east side of the tunnel.

Garland said that train traffic resumed along that route last Thursday evening. "Results of the investigation will be filed with the Federal Railroad Administration," he said, but when asked the status of the operation, he gives vague answers. A train car loaded with Blue Moon and Coors beer had spilled along the beach, some going into the river. All of that was picked up last week, but bottles and cans of the beer were left in large plastic bags at a boat launch at Quinn's, which troubled general manager because alcohol is a controlled substance. Subsequently, the beer was retrieved by MRL workers Monday morning.

The train of 81 cars traveling westbound derailed in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 2, along the Clark Fork River directly across from Quinn's Hot Springs Resort. Twenty-three of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailed, but no cars with hazardous material leaked, according to Sabrina E. McNeal of the Federal Railroad Administration.

There was approximately 24,000 gallons of propane in the derailed tank car, according to James Russell, chief of the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District. District firefighters were first on scene hours after the incident and as a precaution helped in the evacuation of resort guests until it was determined there was no leaking hazardous materials. Russell remained at the scene for days to assist if necessary.

Quinn's Hot Springs Resort Provided MRL with security video from its Paradise Hall showing the actual derailment. "You can see the train going and then you just see the cars crumpling up and it looks like they zigzag on the steep shore and you can see the clay powder like puffs like smoke," said General Manager Denise Moreth.

"We continue to make significant progress as it pertains to site cleanup and remediation efforts and are coordinating the removal of the remaining cars from the area as soon as possible," said Garland, who added that a visual inspection of the track had been done by MRL the Friday prior to the derailment. "MRL meets or exceeds all federal safety requirements associated with rail inspections, ultrasonic testing, and has invested over $250 million to maintain and update our network over the last five years," he stated in an official press release.