The year is not starting off well for those that travel by rail

Jan 28, 2:12 PM EST

Chicago-Bound Amtrak Train Derails

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Amtrak's Chicago-bound Empire Builder passenger train derailed early Saturday near Spokane, causing minor injuries.

Preliminary reports indicated that a rail was broken, but it wasn't
immediately clear when it broke or how, said Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy
Connell.

A few of the 86 passengers and six crew members were treated for minor injuries in the town of Sprague, near the accident site about 45 miles west of Spokane, Connell said. Passengers were taken back to Spokane by bus, she said.

The engine and four cars that derailed remained upright, and equipment was brought in to put them back on the tracks Saturday morning, said Gus Melonas, a spokesman for Burlington Northern Santa Fe, which owns and maintains the tracks.

Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF expected to have the damaged track reopened within 24 hours, he said.