The derailments involved a total of 18 cars, seven on the Union Pacific train that was traveling west and 11 on the train traveling east, said Union Pacific media information director James Barnes. The Union Pacific train was 107 cars long and full of coal, he said.
For an unknown reason seven cars on that train derailed and bumped into the eastbound train that was empty and traveling on a nearby track. The Union Pacific train had left Helper and was traveling to Kentucky when the accident occurred. The other train was heading to a mine near Helper, Barnes said.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the derailment was still under investigation, he said. Union Pacific crews were en route Tuesday night to investigate the damage.
