Union Pacific senior director: March Simpson Road derailment involved seven upright cars; council presses for direct city notification

Peggy Egbuhy, Senior Director for Union Pacific, told the Dunsmuir City Council that "at about 09:30PM central time on March 15, approximately 7 Union Pacific railcars derailed upright near Simpson Road in Dunsmuir." She said there were no injuries or hazardous-material releases and described the railroad’s response-management and notification process, including the company’s RMCC (response management communication center) and membership in NENA, the 9‑1‑1 association.

Council members pressed for clearer local notification. Council member Bridal asked whether the city could be placed on a first-tier notification list so municipal officials learn of derailments at the same time as county and state responders. Bridal said the town’s experience with past derailments has left residents distrustful when communication is delayed and asked for a written commitment that the city will be notified and residents contacted as needed. Egbuhy said she would "do my best" to outreach when she receives a notification and that UP is working with Siskiyou County to improve the county’s notification ladder but that the formal RMCC/NENA protocol is the standard across UP’s roughly 7,300 communities.

Egbuhy also described some operational details: the derailed train was "just under 7,000 feet," while she said systemwide averages are about 9,400 feet; she offered to provide territory-specific metrics and repair schedules. The company told council members crossing repairs and some track work were scheduled for the April 1–4 timeframe and said it will share updates with the city. Mayor Clarnell and staff requested the matter be agendized for a follow-up presentation after the planned work so the council can receive written commitments and additional technical details.