Flames from a ruptured natural gas line scorched rail cars and brought trains on one of the busiest transcontinental rail routes to a halt in Wyoming early Sunday.
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Freight cars were scorched on a Union Pacific train carrying hazardous materials west of Cheyenne after a natural gas pipeline exploded in flames that could be seen 60 miles away in Colorado.
The Sherman Hill route between Laramie and Cheyenne is one of the busiest on the UP system, seeing up to 100 trains a day.
The train did not derail and no injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred at around 1 a.m. Sunday.
No cause was determined for the explosion on the pipeline, operated by Kinder Morgan.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board was expected Monday to investigate.
Local reports said Laramie emergency units responded until UP crews arrived. Another nearby train on an adjoining track was protected.
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) did not immediately comment.
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Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
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