Matthew Weaver/Columbia Basin Herald

Workers act to re-rail two train cars that fell between railroad gauges at Neppel Park Monday morning.

Train cars fall between rail gauges

Accident caused by deteriorating tie conditions

By Herald staff

A maintenance crew for the Columbia Basin Railroad was hard at work repairing two derailed train cars Monday morning.

The cars fell between railroad gauges on the tracks beside Neppel Park Friday because of deteriorated rail tie conditions, said Tim Marshall, general manager of the railroad.

Marshall said there was no damage, except to the rail structure itself. The cars, one containing sand and the other dried potatoes, were fine.

"It's not typical, but out in that area, the industrial line through town, the track is not in good condition," Marshall said. "We'll re-rail the thing and put (in) replacement ties and replacement rail."

Marshall said the situation was not an emergency.