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Canyon Spirit Train Collides With Oil Tanker Near Rifle, Causing Derailment

State patrol reports a 6,000-gallon road oil spill that will keep the rail line closed.

Overview

  • The passenger train, which struck a tanker on the tracks Wednesday morning near Mile Pond Road, crashed just off U.S. Highway 6 in Garfield County.
  • Colorado State Patrol said the tanker split open and released about 6,000 gallons of road oil onto the ground and pavement.
  • Six passenger cars and two locomotives derailed, and CSP said the truck driver had minor injuries but no passengers or crew were hurt.
  • Highway 6 is shut both ways between Mile Pond Road and Peterson Lane at mile point 94.5, and CSP said the rail line will also be closed for an extended period.
  • Local buses moved passengers to a safe location as crews worked the spill and wreckage shown in sheriff’s photos of the mangled tanker.