Central Corridor train derails on icy patch in downtown St. Paul

Pioneer Press ^ | 2-27-14 | Tad Vezner

[TurboZamboni]

Metro Transit crews work to get a light rail train back on track after it derailed Wednesday while traveling north on the Green Line at Cedar Street and 12th Street in downtown St. Paul. (Pioneer Press: John Autey) A Central Corridor light-rail test train rolled off the tracks on Cedar Street in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday afternoon. The minor derailment occurred as the northbound train, which was not carrying passengers, attempted to navigate a turn at 12th Street just before rush hour. It was leaving downtown headed toward Minneapolis. Crews working on the derailment hooked up another train to pull the derailed car back onto the tracks. The train, which derailed about 4 p.m., was back on the tracks just after 6 p.m., according to a Metro Transit spokesman. A Metro Transit official at the scene said this was the first time that particular stretch of track had been used since the Twin Cities were hit with 10 inches of snow last Thursday. It appeared that the train hit an area of snow and ice just before a curve in the tracks at 12th Street.

[TurboZamboni]

Does anyone else see the irony of a train derailment in St. Paul happening on the same day the President of the United States is in town to talk about choo choos and "transit" and more 'free' grants from Uncle Sugar?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

$300 billion should keep the empty trains on time (and on the tracks) the trollys clanging and the bike paths free of feral youts who prey on lefty cyclists.

I heard this story on the way home from work last night and LMAO!!!

[TurboZamboni]

I saw it after leaving the pothole zone.

[Squawk 8888]

The coupler at the front of the train can cause enormous damage if it hits anything. Toronto removed them back in the 1980s after a few really gruesome injures to pedestrians.