Derailment at Java, MT and Winter Weather affects Pacific Northwest container traffic

At 1:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday, January 28, 2004, an avalanche caused the derailment of ten cars on empty unit grain train X PASGRF1 26A near Java, MT. This location is 25 miles west of Glacier Park, MT. Both main tracks are blocked.

Winter weather is bringing high winds, heavy snow and freezing temperatures from Montana to Illinois. Parts of Montana have received over three feet of snow in the last 24 hours with snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches still being reported in some locations. Minot, North Dakota reported minus 29 degrees Fahrenheit this morning with temperatures not expected to rise above zero for the next week.

As a result of this inclement weather, traffic moving through this region will experience delays until conditions improve.