8 train cars derail in a Union Pacific switching accident

Several cars on a Union Pacific train derailed Thursday morning.

A little before 6:30 a.m., a train doing "switching operations," or attaching and detaching cars to the train, derailed near 1700 South and 500 West.

All of the cars involved in the accident were empty, as were the majority of cars on the entire train, said Union Pacific spokesman Dan Harbeke. There were no injuries and no hazardous-material leaks or spills, he said.

Eight cars were involved in the derailment, with at least one of them falling onto its side, Harbeke said.

There was no immediate word Thursday morning regarding what may have caused the accident. Harbeke said once the accident was cleared, Union Pacific crews would start their investigation into a cause, as well as inspect the track the train was on and other nearby tracks for possible damage. He noted that it could be days, weeks or even months, however, before a final determination of what caused the accident is reached.

Salt Lake City fire spokesman Mark Bednarik said there was reportedly some damage to at least one section of track.

Union Pacific has two main lines and two side tracks in that area that remained closed Thursday afternoon, with no estimated time of reopening, Harbeke said. He noted, however, there was minimal rail traffic that time of day and the accident would not cause any delays in the region for the company.

"We have the ability to reroute traffic quite efficiently," he said.

By noon, Harbeke said, the majority of derailed cars had been put back on the track or removed, and the process of evaluating the tracks was under way.

Officials closed 1700 South between 500 West and 700 West while the accident was cleared.

e-mail: preavy@desnews.com