STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — A 71-car cargo train partially derailed outside of Oak Creek on Tuesday afternoon, causing multiple road closures in the area.
There are no reported injuries in the incident, which occurred at about 1 p.m. after the lead wheels on the locomotive at the front of the train came off the tracks at a crossing west of Bell Avenue.
Bell Avenue could be closed for as long as five hours, along with Moffat Avenue and Sharp Avenue in Oak Creek, according to Oak Creek Police Department Chief Ralph Maher.
“You can still get in and around the town — you just can’t go through it,” Maher said.
Detour routes include Routt County Road 27 and C.R. 50Z, also known as Willow Bend.
Railroad inspectors are investigating the cause of the derailment.
Maher emphasized that it is illegal to walk or otherwise travel between the train cars while the train is stopped.
“That train could move at any time without warning,” he said.
To reach Derek Maiolo, call 970-871-4247, email dmaiolo@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @derek_maiolo