Coal train cars derail, spill load

LIMON - Approximately 34 train cars loaded with coal derailed on Thursday afternoon just west of Limon, spilling coal across the area.

Union Pacific Railroad says the cars derailed around 2:40 p.m. about 8 miles west of Limon. The train tracks run along Interstate 70 in Elbert County and the train was heading east at the time of the accident.

Authorities say there are no injures and heavy equipment crews are heading to the area to start cleaning up the mess.

The rail line is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and is now closed. Other trains will probably be rerouted on other tracks, possibly through Cheyenne, Wyoming.

It's unclear how many cars were part of the train, but Union Pacific says 34 cars is probably a fraction of the total train.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.