A train derailed in this small Oklahoma town, an emergency it has prepared for

MARLOW — City officials say it could have been worse after a train derailed in this small town.

The Union Pacific rail line runs through the east side of town, where about 4,400 people live. On Sunday, a series of small brush fires were sparked along the route by the train's axel as it moved south into Stephens County, said City Administrator Jason McPherson. The axel came off just north of Memorial Drive in Marlow, where the train derailed.

Some of the cars that derailed were carrying flour, frack sand and grain, McPherson said. There were some black tank cars that did not spill, but McPherson said the city hasn't confirmed whether they were carrying any hazardous chemicals.

"I don't want to assume that it's hazardous chemicals, but we know in dealing with Union Pacific that's something they carry," McPherson said. "That's something that we prepare for. That deal in Ohio ... every town that's got a railroad track in it, you're hoping that ain't going to happen to you."

City of Marlow has trained officials to respond to a train derailment

The derailment happened about 170 feet from homes, McPherson estimated. The town is thankful that no one was hurt and no power lines were downed, he said.

There were a total of three crossings closed right after the accident, but Memorial Drive is the only one that remains closed. Union Pacific told city officials they expected to have the scene cleared in three to four days, McPherson said.

"They have some major equipment down here," McPherson said. "Excavators, crane lifts, a bunch of that. They're currently trying to pick up the pieces."

In his nearly 50 years living in Marlow, McPherson said he couldn't remember a time the train derailed. But it is something the city prepares for through annual emergency training.

"One of the scenarios we work almost every year is a train derailment with hazardous chemicals and it also cuts the town off," McPherson said. "And that's kind of where we were yesterday, the three main crossings were shut down ... it was a little surreal in that respect that we have worked through this exercise before. But fortunately it wasn't to the extent that we had worked."