GALLERY: Cedar Rapids train derailment blocks traffic, damages tracks

One major downtown street has re-opened after this morning's train derailment in Cedar Rapids, but two remain closed.

Freight cars have been removed from the crossing at Eighth Avenue SE, allowing traffic to resume. The cars were on the rear of the same train that had at least three cars leave the tracks near the Third Street SE crossing just south of Eighth Avenue about 8:40 a.m.

At least six Iowa Northern railcars derailed, including the one near the intersection of Third Street and Ninth Avenue SE that overturned and spilled corn, officials said.

Sections of the railroad track, owned by CRANDIC, were damaged.

Elaine Duvall, spokeswoman for CRANDIC parent company Alliant Energy, said one of the two street crossings still blocked should be cleared this afternoon, but “the other one is going to take some time. I'd say we're into tomorrow or maybe a little longer.”

Duvall said the derailment's cause hasn't been determined. She said the Iowa Northern Railway train was using CRANDIC trackage to deliver a trainload of corn to the ADM ethanol plant in southwest Cedar Rapids.

“We don't know the cause,” Iowa Northern spokesman Josh Sabin said. “We're moving as quickly as possible.”

Sabin confirmed no one was injured and no hazardous materials were aboard the train. He said Iowa Northern is working with the Union Pacific, which owns the tracks north of the derailment site, to clear freight cars from nearby crossings.

Police Sgt. J.D. Verschoore there are no reports of injuries or other property damage. He said Second and Third streets will be closed while a crane service sets the cars back on the track.

The train was carrying grain and headed into downtown to switch cars, officials said.

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