CLEANUP EFFORTS UNDERWAY AFTER TRAIN DERAILMENT AT HIGHWAY 36, NEW WEHDEM ROAD

  

Authorities responded this (Tuesday) morning to a train derailment south of Brenham.

The derailment was reported shortly after 9:30 a.m. at the railroad crossing located at Highway 36 South and New Wehdem Road.

According to DPS Sergeant Justin Ruiz, approximately 17 train cars left the track, all of them carrying coal.  The train had a total of 127 cars. 

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke said there were no injuries and no hazards to the public. 

One home in the area did lose power, and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative was notified.

According to Ruemke, the crossing will be closed for “quite some time”, beyond today.

The public is asked to avoid the area while officials work to clear the scene.

BNSF will lead the investigation into what caused the derailment.