Federal agency says cause of last week’s BNSF derailment near Custer has been identified

Jack Belcher
·1 min read

The Federal Railroad Administration has revealed new details regarding the cause of last week’s train derailment in Whatcom County.

Six of the BNSF Railway train’s 26 cars derailed near Custer around 11:40 p.m. June 4. There were no reports of injury, property damage or cargo spillage. The train was carrying molten sulfur, but the hazardous material was not compromised by the derailment.

Six of the BNSF Railway train’s 26 cars derailed near Custer around 11:40 p.m. June 4.
Six of the BNSF Railway train’s 26 cars derailed near Custer around 11:40 p.m. June 4.

“The train was departing and traversed a previously-run-through switch when it derailed. It appears the previous train left a gap in the switch points, causing this train to derail,” Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Director of Public Affairs Warren Flatau said in an email to The Bellingham Herald.

BNSF’s investigation into the cause of the accident continues, and Flatau said a full report will be released in about three months.

BNSF officials told The Herald they could not reveal where the train departed from or its scheduled destination.

BNSF is expected to release a full report regarding the derailmant in about three months.
BNSF is expected to release a full report regarding the derailmant in about three months.
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