Deuel County, Neb. — A Union Pacific train derailed late Sunday afternoon in Chappell in the state’s southern panhandle. The derailment resulted in the closing of Highway 30 in both directions from Lodgepole to Highway 21 for about 2 hours.
The derailment blocked both tracks.
Union Pacific crews went to the location to begin cleanup. An investigation will be conducted to determine what caused the train to derail.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation reported the derailment about 5:30 p.m. central time. Chappell Volunteer Fire Department reported an evacuation of the west side of the town was lifted about 7:30 p.m. central time.
A stretch of Highway 30 had been closed for a few hours shortly after the derailment, but reopened around 7 p.m. central time.
There’s been no word on how long the cleanup process will take.
