Union Pacific rerouted trains but not crude oil to BNSF line in Washington

Union Pacific Railroad rerouted some trains to BNSF Railway lines on the Washington side of the Columbia River following the disaster in Mosier.

But it has not moved any trains carrying crude oil since an oil train derailed June 5 in the tiny Columbia River Gorge town, with some cars igniting.

Justin Jacobs, media director for Union Pacific, said the railroad will not move any unit trains carrying crude oil until after the situation in Mosier is resolved. The railroad typically runs two to three oil trains through the Gorge per month, he said.

The wreck occurred four days after Union Pacific announced plans to spend $34.6 million upgrading its Oregon rail network in 2016.

Courtney Wallace, spokeswoman for BNSF Railway, confirmed Union Pacific rerouted trains to BNSF lines in Washington under a long-standing reciprocal agreement. Pasco is a major hub for BNSF activities with most trains passing through the hump yard north of town.

The Mosier disaster involved a unit train carrying Bakken crude from North Dakota. Union Pacific began running non-oil trains on its own lines Monday.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Union Pacific rerouted trains but not crude oil to BNSF line in Washington."