A Union Pacific maintenance machine struck the rear of a stopped train in Del Rio, Texas, damaging a gasoline tank car while two employees declined further medical treatment after evaluation.

Union Pacific intermodal freight train near Cisco, Texas, shown as an illustrative image
A Union Pacific intermodal freight train approaches Cisco, Texas. Illustrative image; it does not depict the Del Rio collision. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress, public domain.

At about 2:20 p.m. on July 23, 2026, the maintenance-of-way machine rear-ended the stationary Union Pacific⁠ train. The railroad said emergency medical personnel evaluated the two workers, but both declined additional treatment.

Federal regulations⁠ define a roadway maintenance machine as powered equipment used on or near track for maintenance, repair, construction or inspection. Such machines may operate on rail or road wheels, depending on their design.

Gasoline Tank Car Remained Secure

The City of Del Rio⁠ reported that a tank car carrying gasoline was damaged in the collision but remained secure. Officials did not provide additional details about the car’s condition.

Del Rio Police, Del Rio Fire Rescue, emergency medical services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other agencies responded. The scene was south of U.S. Route 90 near San Felipe Springs Road.

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Union Pacific Opens Investigation

Union Pacific said the incident remained under investigation. The railroad had not announced a cause or a timetable for completing its review in the information available on July 23.

Del Rio lies 168 miles west of San Antonio. The city is at the western end of Union Pacific’s Del Rio Subdivision and the eastern end of its Sanderson Subdivision, placing the collision at the boundary between the two operating territories.

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