BNSF official: Too early to pinpoint cause of train derailment

A BNSF Railways official said the cause of Wednesday's derailment near the Pecos River Bridge northwest of Fort Sumner — the second in that area in less than a month — is still under investigation.

Although both derailments happened during high-wind conditions, about the latest derailment, BNSF spokesman Joe Faust said, "To assume it was wind-related would be premature. It could be any number of things."

He cited mechanical failure and human error as possible reasons, but he said nothing is certain until the investigation report is released. He said the investigation should be complete within the next week.

Scot Stinnett: De Baca County News

The BNSF train that derailed Wednesday near Fort Sumner included 116 cars, 10 of which left the tracks and tumbled down an embankment.

The train that derailed Wednesday included 116 cars, 10 of which left the tracks and tumbled down an embankment. The train was traveling from Belen to Clovis when it left the track about 3:30 p.m. The cars were carrying grain.

Winds speeds recorded Wednesday at Cannon Air Force Base averaged 29 mph, with a top gust of 53 mph, according to weatherbug.com.

Faust said an investigation of the March 23 derailment that involved 16 double-stacked railcars determined wind as the cause. Top wind speeds that day also were also in the 50-plus mph range.

Faust said every derailment is different so each one requires an investigation.

"Once we determine the cause and assess the derailment," Faust said, "we meet with an area management team and decide what the best practice is to prevent a future derailment."

Faust said there were no policy changes or changes to the railway itself after the last derailment.