Train crossings in Pawnee reopen after train derailment

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) -- State Highway 18 at Pawnee has reopened after being closed for nearly 7-and-a-half hours Monday because of a train derailment.<br/><br/>The highway reopened shortly before noon.<br/><br/>A

Monday, September 12th 2005, 8:59 am

By: News On 6

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) -- State Highway 18 at Pawnee has reopened after being closed for nearly 7-and-a-half hours Monday because of a train derailment.

The highway reopened shortly before noon.

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman says five cars derailed about 4 Monday morning, but there are no injuries or hazardous materials spill and the cars did not overturn.

Police initially reported two trains collided, but BNSF spokesman Joe Faust says it was a derailment of cars on a westbound train. Faust says the derailment was noticed by the engineer of an eastbound train that was sitting on adjacent tracks and he notified the engineer of the westbound train.

Faust says the track was cleared Monday afternoon.

Faust says one of the derailed cars was carrying a hazardous material, but did not leak. Three cars are hauling building supplies and the fifth is empty.