What started as a routine run for a Union Pacific coal train turned into a major mess in Eureka on Sunday, when multiple emergency crews rushed to the tracks near Lewis Road after a partial derailment sent roughly two dozen cars off the rails alongside the Crescent Farms golf course. Officials said the derailment chewed up both tracks and one car clipped a road bridge, triggering immediate safety checks.
According to First Alert 4, the Eureka Fire Protection District reported that 26 cars from a 135-car Union Pacific coal train jumped the tracks near Lewis Street, close to Crescent Farms Golf Club. Chief Scott Barthelmass told the outlet there were no injuries and that the derailed cars were not carrying hazardous materials. He added that one of the cars struck the Lewis Road bridge, and St. Louis County crews were headed to the scene to evaluate any potential damage while both tracks were considered compromised.
Where It Happened
The wreck unfolded right next to Crescent Farms Golf Club at 745 Lewis Road, a 27-hole public course that sits along the Union Pacific mainline leading into the St. Louis area. For official updates and local contact information, residents can check the Eureka Fire Protection District website.
Regional Context
The incident adds to a run of freight-train troubles around the St. Louis region this year; Hoodline previously covered a May derailment in East Carondelet that left 13 coal cars off the tracks but, like Sunday’s wreck, caused no injuries. Railroads are required to report such accidents to federal regulators, and the Federal Railroad Administration maintains a public database of rail-equipment accident records for investigators and the public at its FRA accident data portal.
First Alert 4 noted that the story is still developing and will be updated as officials release more details. In the meantime, authorities are asking people to steer clear of the Lewis Road area while crews secure the site and inspectors take a hard look at the bridge and damaged tracks.
