​​​​​This information is preliminary and subject to change.​​​

On October 15, 2023, about 3:24​ p.m. southbound BNSF Railway (BNSF) coal train CNAMCRD0-31D derailed 30 railcars at milepost 109.654 on the Pikes Peak Subdivision in Pueblo West, Colorado.[1] The derailment occurred near a track switch east of a railroad bridge that crossed over Interstate 25.[2] Derailed railcars struck the bridge, six dropping to the interstate below and one or more striking a northbound truck-tractor in combination with a utility trailer (combination vehicle).[3] The eastern span of the bridge partially collapsed over the interstate’s northbound lanes. The combination vehicle came to rest beneath the collapsed bridge span, derailed railcars, and lading. (See figure.) The truck driver was killed; no members of the train crew were injured. At the time of the derailment, visibility conditions were daylight and clear; the weather was 71°F with no precipitation.

Train CNAMCRD0-31D departed Denver, Colorado, at 9:41 a.m. on the day of the derailment, bound for La Junta, Colorado. The train consisted of 2 locomotives at the head end, 3 distributed power units, and 124 hopper cars loaded with coal.[4] Its crew consisted of a conductor and an engineer.

The track near the derailment site was single main track with an adjacent siding. Train movements near the derailment site are authorized by wayside signal indications with an overlaid positive train control system and are coordinated by the BNSF Network Operations Center in Ft. Worth, Texas.[5] The maximum authorized speed in the area is 45 mph.[6] At the time of the derailment, the accident train was traveling about 32 mph.

While on scene, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators completed interviews; reviewed data from locomotive event recorders, forward-facing image recorders, and radio logs; inspected locomotives and railcars; tested  ​​and downloaded data from positive train control and signal systems; examined track near the derailment site; reviewed BNSF track maintenance and welding procedures; and recovered a section of rail for analysis at the NTSB Materials Laboratory.

The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. Future investigative activity will focus on BNSF’s track maintenance and inspection procedures.

Parties to the investigation include:

• ​the Federal Railroad Administration; 
• ​BNSF; 
• the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen division of the Transportation Communications Union/IAM; 
• the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; 
• the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; and 
• ​the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.[7]