A train hauling coal along the Union Pacific tracks north of Eureka derailed on Sunday, July 26, leading to the closure of the Lewis Road bridge.
Eureka Fire Protection District Chief Scott Barthelmass said 26 cars of the 135-car train ran off the tracks, with one striking a pier, which serves as a support beam for the Lewis Road bridge. Both sets of train tracks were also damaged.
Eureka Fire was called to the scene of the derailment at 4:50 p.m., which was near Crescent Farms and Pevely Farms golf clubs.
Barthelmass said there were no reported injuries, and the cause of the derailment is unknown.
The bridge is closed while the St. Louis County highway department assesses the structural damage, Barthelmass said.
The cleanup of spilled coal is still ongoing as of this morning, July 27, Barthelmass said, with Union Pacific building a road down to the railroad tracks to carry away the coal and train debris.
Eureka Fire advised motorists to avoid the area, if possible, to allow crews to continue to work.
Several trips of Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner train, which travels from St. Louis to Kansas City, were cancelled due to the derailment, with Amtrak providing bus transportation for passengers.