Placer County train derailment shuts down Colfax rail line

A Placer County train derailment in Colfax early Saturday morning disrupted a prominent rail route that crosses the Sierra and continues toward Nevada. With 13 train cars derailed, the tracks closed as crews moved in for cleanup and an investigation.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

FOX40 reported from the scene and spoke with nearby residents, including local train enthusiast David Garrett. “I love trains and this is a big deal,” Garrett said.

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George Sovey also stopped to watch after noticing unusual activity while meeting friends for breakfast. He said he parked, walked over, and found what he called “a big wreck,” adding it looked “way worse” earlier than it did later.

What happened in the Union Pacific derailment Colfax CA?

The derailment occurred just before 3:30 a.m., when 13 Union Pacific mixed freight rail cars traveling eastbound left the tracks near Highway 174 and Narrow Gauge Road. The location sits along historic tracks that form part of a heavily traveled transcontinental rail line in the small, woodsy town.

Sovey, who said he is 77 years old, told FOX40 the scene was not traumatic for him. Still, he said it was highly interesting because Colfax is a railroad town, and trains on the transcontinental line come through the area often.

Tracks closed as cleanup continues

A Union Pacific spokesperson confirmed that no one was hurt and there were no “releases,” meaning no spills, as also described by CBS Sacramento. Even so, the tracks closed cleanup underway remained the immediate focus as crews worked at the site and tried to determine how the cars went off the rails.

From an overpass, Garrett pointed to where the rails appeared to stop near where workers were stationed, followed by gravel for the next 100 yards. Garrett and his dog, Lucy, watched the work below. He also said the tracks are being replaced, describing the route as the main track over the Sierras—one the railroad cannot do without.

Cause under investigation after 13 train cars derailed

FOX40 said it asked Union Pacific and CAL FIRE how the incident occurred. The rail company stated the cause is under investigation. Local safety experts told FOX40 that weather can sometimes impact or warp tracks, though they could not say whether that was the case here.

As cleanup continued, residents said the derailment would be a memorable moment in the town’s railroad history. Garrett said the overturned trains were “shocking,” adding, “This normally never happens. Never.”

Union Pacific representatives said they do not have an expected timeline for when the tracks will be operating as normal, and KCRA also reported the situation as continuing to develop with cleanup and repairs underway.

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