Freight Train Jumps Tracks, Delays TRE

A freight train derailment in the Fort Worth area left several cars off the tracks and will interrupt passenger rail service in Fort Worth until Wednesday.

The train derailment took place at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday when a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train carrying coal jumped the tracks as it passed under Interstate 35W affecting two tracks, including one TRE. track.

Crews will be working Monday and Tuesday to repair the torn-up tracks in the Richland Hills area. The tracks are used by Trinity Railway Express commuter trains on routes linking Fort Worth and Dallas. TRE is co-owned by Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

The derailment has cut off rail service from the Intermodal Transportation Center and the T&P Station until Wednesay. In the meantime, the estimated 8,600 commuters between Dallas and Fort Worth will be dropped off and picked up at the Richland Hills station. From there, The T is offering free bus service to the two downtown Fort Worth stations.

"It was easy, there were people directing you to waiting buses, then we waited for a few people to get on the buses then went to the next stop, and here we are," said passenger Mignon Murray.

A spokesperson for The T said the changes caused about a 10-minute delay Monday morning.

The cause of Sunday night's derailment is under investigation.