Canyon Spirit Derailment Shuts Down Union Pacific Route and Halts BNSF Freight

Canyon Spirit derailment kept Union Pacific’s Glenwood Springs Subdivision closed. The closure followed a Wednesday, May 6, collision involving the cruise train. The blockage continued to affect Amtrak’s California Zephyr. Also, freight movements on the route were affected. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Canyon Spirit derailment affects rail service

As Railfan & Railroad Magazine reported, the incident occurred near Rifle. There, the passenger train collided with a tank truck. The truck driver was injured, and the train derailed. No injuries were reported on board.

According to Trains, BNSF uses the Union Pacific line under a trackage-rights agreement. BNSF gave customers a projected reopening for the main track: 3 p.m. MT on Thursday, May 7.

Amtrak turns California Zephyr trains at both ends

Amtrak train-status information showed the California Zephyr turning at both ends of the closure. Eastbound trains were to turn at Grand Junction, Colo. Westbound trains were to turn at Denver. Meanwhile, buses were carrying passengers between those points.

Canyon Spirit said on its website that the company is “moving as quickly as possible to work through the impact on future departures.” Updates would be posted when available. The next scheduled departure was Friday, May 8, from Salt Lake City. A Denver departure was slated for Tuesday, May 12.

Separately, U.S. Route 6 was closed after the 9:40 a.m. collision. According to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, the road reopened at about 5 p.m.

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