USA: A Union Pacific coal train derailment near Eureka, Missouri, left 26 cars off the rails, compromised both tracks and forced the closure of the Lewis Road bridge.

Union Pacific coal train traveling on parallel tracks in Wyoming, shown as an illustrative image
Illustrative Union Pacific coal train in Wyoming; this image does not depict the Eureka derailment. Photo: Wusel007, CC BY-SA 3.0

26 of 135 coal cars leave the rails

Multiple emergency crews responded on July 26 near Lewis Street, close to Crescent Farms Golf Club. The incident involved 26 cars from a 135-car Union Pacific coal train, according to the First Alert 4 report, which attributed the details to the Eureka Fire Protection District.

Eureka Fire Protection District Chief Scott Barthelmass said no one was injured. He also reported that none of the derailed cars contained hazardous materials. Both tracks through the affected section, however, were described as compromised.

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Lewis Road bridge closes after impact

One of the derailed cars struck the Lewis Road bridge. St. Louis County crews evaluated the structure and told the news team at the scene that the bridge would close because of concerns about its structural integrity.

The bridge closure created a separate impact for road access near Crescent Farms Golf Club, while the railway disruption extended across both tracks. The report did not state whether the bridge had sustained permanent damage.

Investigation and reopening timetable remain unclear

First Alert 4 identified the report as a developing story. At that stage, officials had not disclosed the derailment cause, a recovery schedule or estimates for reopening the railway and road connection.

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