Mark Davis, a spokesperson with Union Pacific, told Hays Post that the Tuesday morning train derailment in Hays is still under investigation. The cause is still unknown.

“The focus of the investigation is on why did the train traveling from Salina to Denver wind up in the rail yard at Hays. It should have stayed on the main rail line,” Davis said.

The train from Salina ran into a standing train in Hays. Ten cars on the Salina train derailed. Four cars on the standing train derailed and four cars on an adjacent train derailed. Three locomotives also derailed and caught fire.

Three locomotives and 79 cars were part of the westbound train, which was carrying low-grade ethanol and general freight such as steel, wheat, beer and particle board. The 20 tankers carrying low-grade ethanol did not derail.

“There was very little damage to the tracks on the main line, Davis said. “One hundred twenty feet of track on one line and 120 feet on another track will need to be repaired.”