Dozens of railcars derail from train in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. — Crews are cleaning up after 39 railroad cars carrying empty freight containers derailed from a Union Pacific freight train in southern Arizona amid rain.

The derailment occurred Monday night near Picacho (pih-KAH’-cho) Peak, about 40 miles northwest of Tucson. Television news footage showed cars off the tracks.

The cause of the derailment isn’t immediately known, but Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis says the train crew reported shortly before the derailment that it was slowing the train because of rain.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning in the area late Monday evening.

Davis earlier said the 107-car train pulled by three engines was going from Houston to Los Angeles and that empty freight containers were the only cargo.

Davis says the derailment blocked both sets of tracks.