Crews Begin Removing Risky Chemical at Montana Train-Derailment Site

Cleanup crews began the delicate task Sunday of transferring a potentially dangerous substance from the site where a freight train carrying hazardous materials plunged into the Yellowstone River in Montana, according to railroad officials. 

Several cars that were part of a Montana Rail Link freight train fell into the river around 6:45 a.m. Saturday when a bridge near Columbus, Mont., collapsed. 

Ten cars were affected, according to Montana Rail Link spokesman Andy Garland. Two cars contained sodium hydrosulfide, a flammable substance with a rotten egg odor. The cars carrying that chemical didn’t enter the water, Garland said. 

Crews removed the sodium hydrosulfide from the train car Sunday after emergency track repairs were done to facilitate the site cleanup, Garland said. That empty car will be re-railed and moved to a secure location.

The cars that made contact with the Yellowstone River carried molten sulfur and hot asphalt, which harden and solidify upon contact with cooler temperatures, he said. Both materials are flammable in liquid form and can produce potentially dangerous fumes.