GIRDWOOD, Alaska — Two crew members escaped without injury when an Alaska Railroad train derailed after hitting avalanche debris early Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, the Anchorage Daily News reports.
The freight train from Whitter to Anchorage struck debris covering the tracks at Mile 71.5 of the Seward Highway at about 2 a.m., derailing the train’s three locomotives, according to railroad spokeswoman Christy Terry. The debris covered about 300 feet of track, according to a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Transportation.
Work to clear the debris continued during the day on Tuesday, while transportation department workers triggered additional avalanches to control potential snowslides. The extent of damage to the rail line and duration of disruption to rail service remained unknown.
Girdwood is about 35 miles southeast of Anchorage.
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