News Summary
Around 15 Union Pacific rail cars derailed in Kirby, Texas, causing Gibbs Sprawl Road to close for cleanup. Fortunately, no injuries or hazardous material spills were reported. City officials are advising drivers to seek alternate routes as the cleanup progresses. This derailment adds to concerns about rail safety amidst a series of recent incidents involving Union Pacific, raising implications for the local community and logistics across Texas.
Kirby, Texas
Approximately 15 Union Pacific rail cars derailed near Gibbs Sprawl Road and Fratt Road in Kirby, Texas, at around 1 p.m. on February 15, 2025. Fortunately, no injuries or hazardous material spills were reported in connection with the incident. The derailed rail cars, which included autoracks containing new Toyota trucks from a local plant, came detached from the train tracks and rolled over.
In response to the derailment, Union Pacific is managing the cleanup operation. In the meantime, city officials in Kirby have announced that Gibbs Sprawl Road will be closed for 24 to 48 hours to facilitate the cleanup efforts and ensure safety in the area. Drivers in the region are advised to seek alternate routes while the road is closed.
Kirby, a city with a population of 8,142 as of the 2020 census, is located approximately 8 miles northeast of San Antonio. The derailment occurred on Union Pacific’s main east/west route, which connects El Paso and Houston, highlighting the impact of transportation disruptions in the region.
The latest updates note that this incident follows a series of derailments faced by Union Pacific in various states, raising concerns about rail safety and operational reliability. Notably, just prior to this incident, there was another derailment involving 35 empty covered hopper cars in Lytle, Texas, which is approximately 17 miles southwest of the South San Antonio yard.
Union Pacific’s focus will now be on clearing the derailed cars and restoring service along the main line, as further investigations will determine the cause of the derailment. The company has a history of prioritizing quick responses to derailments, and it is expected that they will provide updates as the situation develops.
In summary, as cleanup efforts proceed in Kirby and with road closures in effect, local authorities emphasize the importance of public safety and will monitor the situation closely. The implications of this incident stretch beyond the local community, affecting logistics and supply chains across the state of Texas due to the significance of the affected railway route.
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HERE Resources
Union Pacific Train Derails in Kirby, Texas
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Current
- Wikipedia: Train Derailment
- KSAT
- Google Search: San Antonio Train Derailment
- Trains.com
- Google Scholar: Railway Safety
- News 4 San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rail Accidents
- KTSA
- Google News: Union Pacific Train Derailment
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