Runaway BNSF rail car races through Arvada, Colo.

(The following story by Howard Pankratz appeared on The Denver Post website on October 8,2 009.)

ARVADA, Colo. — A runaway Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail car tore along 5 miles of track in Arvada this morning at an estimated speed of 40 miles per hour, an Arvada police spokesman said.

"It was flying at such a pace that the gates at the street crossings weren't activating," said Sgt. Jeff Monzingo, spokesman for the Arvada Police Department.

He said after the police department received several calls from alarmed motorists, "officers tried to get in front" of the runaway rail car to warn drivers who might cross the tracks.

Heading east through Arvada, the runaway rail car headed into Adams County where it derailed, Monzingo said.

The first calls to Arvada police came in at 8:04 a.m.

During the Arvada police chase, said Monzingo, railroad officials told Arvada officers that the single car would not activate the crossing arms at intersections.

Steve Forsberg, spokesman for the BNSF, said that the car was loaded with plastic pellets, which are not considered hazardous.

He said the pellets are used in the manufacture of various plastic products.

A switching crew was working some distance from the rail car when it started rolling, Forsberg said.

He said BNSF is investigating how the accident occurred.

The first reports to the railroad of the incident came about 9 a.m., he said.

No one was injured, and no rail traffic in Denver and Colorado were affected, he added.

Friday, October 09, 2009