BNSF crews assessing fuel leak from locomotive

BNSF Railway crews began assessing Tuesday the possible effects of a fuel leak on a train locomotive traveling between Browning and West Glacier.

According to Montana Department of Environmental Quality officials, the leak likely began near Browning and crews observed an intermittent three-inch wide diesel trail along the track. BNSF originally reported that approximately 1,300 gallons of diesel may have been released over the tracks, but state officials said they will know more with further investigation.

Railroad crews discovered the leak Dec. 18. In a statement, BNSF Railway spokesperson Kendall Kirkham Sloan offered a differing estimation on the amount of fuel leaked, saying it likely was between 900 and 1,000 gallons of dyed diesel fuel. The leak likely originated in the locomotive's fuel system, Sloan said.

Because the locomotive did not stop in the roughly 65-mile stretch of rail between Browning and Belton, investigators do not expect to find any concentrated releases of fuel along the corridor, Sloan said.

No water impacts have yet been observed and many bridges along the stretch of rail are snow covered, state officials said. As part of the cleanup, crews will visit bridges that can be safely accessed to remove affected snow. 

Montana Department of Environmental Quality is working with BNSF to develop a cleanup plan, officials said. 

Responding by email, Glacier National Park officials said a spot-check was conducted by park staff and, consistent with the BNSF assessment, found no indication of diesel entering the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. 

The locomotive has been taken to the Whitefish BNSF yard for further investigation, officials said. 

Carl Foster can be reached at cfoster@dailyinterlake.com.