CARLISLE, Iowa – A Union Pacific freight train derailed one mile east of Carlisle, where the railroad crosses the Middle River, and spilled 30,000 gallons of corn syrup. Also, one car spilled polyethylene pellets into the river. The Iowa Natural Resources Department said the corn syrup soaked into the ground and was not expected to leak into the river. There was less certainty about the environmental impact of the polyethylene pellets. A hazardous-materials team set up a boom at the first river crossing downstream and channeled some pellets to shore. It was feared, however, that some pellets would make it into the Des Moines River 10 miles downstream. The derailment, was Friday about 10:30 p.m. Twenty cars left the tracks.
On Minnesota-Nebraska route. The UP line connects Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Nebraska points via Des Moines. Image: Hartford Fire Department