A train that got off track in Wayzata Wednesday morning caused a flurry of commotion, but no reported injuries.
The incident occurred about 9:20 a.m. near Ferndale Road and Lake Street, in an area of high-end office buildings. Witnesses indicated that part of the track was thrown into one of the nearby structures.
Seventeen loaded coal cars were derailed, spilling coal into parts of downtown Wayzata.
The remaining part of the train blocked access to the Wayzata Boatworks building and the chamber of commerce. It also blocked the view of Wayzata Bay from the Sunsets parking lot.
Cleanup should be completed within 48 hours.
Officials said it was fortunate that the train, operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway, was not carrying any hazardous material at the time of the incident.
The cause of the derailment is still under investigation.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for all the latest news and information in the Wayzata community.
To submit photos or videos, contact Dan Gustafson at wayzata@gmail.com or (952) 473-5800.
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| A partial train derailment in Wayzata. Note the dirt spilling into a parking lot located at 150 West Lake Street. Photo by Dan Gustafson. |
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| The Burlington Northern train spilled coal in downtown Wayzata. Photo by Dan Gustafson |
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| Coal was dumped by a derailed train in downtown Wayzata. Photo by Dan Gustafson. |
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| Coal spilled onto the ground from the train derailment. Photo by Mary Bader. |
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| A twisted train car. Photo by Mary Bader. |
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| The twisted metal at the railroad crossing on Ferndale. Photo by Dan Gustafson. |
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| Idle railroad cars sat on the tracks and blocked traffic to the Wayzata Boatworks and the Wayzata Depot. Photo by Dan Gustafson. |
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| Train cars piled up in front of the office buildings located at 150 West Lake Street. Photo by Mary Bader. |
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| Coal spilled across the Ferndale railroad crossing. Photo by Mari Forsberg. |
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| Onlookers wander the tracks prior to authorities arriving. Photo by Mari Forsberg. |
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| Coal covers the rail road tracks. Photo by Mari Forsberg. |
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| Coal spilled across the Ferndale railroad crossing. Photo by Mari Forsberg. |
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