A train recently derailed in Montana which sent a shipment of Boeing fuselages down an embankment. Some of the aircraft parts were left partially submerged in the Clark Fork River.
A train recently derailed in Montana which sent a shipment of Boeing fuselages down an embankment. Some of the aircraft parts were left partially submerged in the Clark Fork River.
Prior to the derailment, the train had been headed to Boeing factories in Washington state. The BNSF Railway train was carrying half a dozen 737 narrow body fuselages along with assemblies for Boeing 777 and 747 wide body jets.
According to Rail Link Montana, nineteen carriages derailed about 18 miles east of Superior. Two people were onboard the 90-car train at the time of the incident. Fortunately neither one was hurt.
A Boeing spokesperson commented “Our team of experts is assessing the damage. Once we determine the extent of damage we will assess what, if any, impact there will be to production."
A crew of approximately 50 people responded to the scene to help remove the fuselages. The cause of the derailment remains unclear, but speed is not suspected to be a factor.
