Railway Incidents

Railroad Accidents

What is a Railroad Accident?

Railroad accidents include train derailments, collisions, crossings incidents, hazardous material releases, mechanical failures, and other events involving rail transportation infrastructure. While rail transportation remains one of the safest methods of moving freight, railroad incidents can have significant consequences due to the size of trains, the volume of cargo transported, and the potential for hazardous materials to be involved.

Railroad accidents can result in injuries, fatalities, disruptions to transportation systems, property damage, environmental impacts, and temporary evacuations of nearby communities. When hazardous materials are involved, the impacts can extend well beyond the immediate accident location.

Railroad Risks in Gallatin County

Rail transportation plays an important role in Gallatin County’s economy. Active rail lines operated by BNSF Railway pass through portions of the county, including areas near Belgrade, Bozeman, Manhattan, and Three Forks. Freight trains transport a wide variety of commodities through the region, including materials that may pose additional risks in the event of a derailment or collision.

According to the Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection Plan, railroad accidents have occurred periodically within Gallatin County. Since 1981, 79 railroad accidents have been documented in the county, resulting in track and equipment damage and a small number of injuries. Based on the historical record, railroad accidents occur approximately 1.76 times per year on average.

Although most incidents are minor, a derailment involving hazardous materials near populated areas could require evacuations, road closures, and a large emergency response effort. Areas near rail corridors in Belgrade, Bozeman, Manhattan, and Three Forks may be most directly affected by such incidents.

Potential Impacts

Railroad accidents can create a variety of hazards, including:

In a worst-case hazardous materials release near a populated area, a large number of structures and residents could be affected or evacuated.

How to Prepare

Know Your Risk

If you live, work, or attend school near a railroad corridor, familiarize yourself with nearby crossings and evacuation routes. Understanding your proximity to railroad infrastructure can help you respond more quickly during an emergency.

Sign Up for Emergency Notifications

Register for the Gallatin County Community Notification System to receive emergency alerts and protective action instructions. Notifications may provide critical information regarding evacuations, shelter-in-place orders, road closures, and other emergency measures.

Build an Emergency Kit

Maintain emergency supplies at home, work, and in your vehicle, including:

Develop a Family Emergency Plan

Discuss how family members will communicate during an emergency and identify meeting locations if an evacuation becomes necessary.