FRA investigating derailment at Arizona-New Mexico border

The Federal Railroad Administration is leading an investigation into the cause of a BNSF Railway Co. train derailment that occurred April 27 at the Arizona-New Mexico border.

The incident occurred about 22 miles southwest of Gallup, New Mexico, on BNSF’s primary route between Southern California and the Midwest, the Class I stated in a customer service advisory. Rail operations were significantly impacted, with both mainline tracks out of service on April 27. The tracks reopened yesterday.

The train, which was carrying propane and gasoline, caught fire after the derailment occurred, various news media reported. The fire prompted evacuations that lasted until yesterday. The incident also resulted in the temporary closure of a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40, which is now reopened. No injuries were reported.

Today, fire crews continue to watch over a controlled burn of remaining fuel at the derailment site, according to an Associated Press report on KOAT 7.