Containment efforts: Second day of work, cleaning up diesel fuel in Slinger



SLINGER (WITI) -- The site of a train collision in Slinger is an active one. A Canadian National train collided with a Wisconsin & Southern train on Sunday night, July 20th. Following the collision, 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked -- and the cleanup operation continues, under the watchful eye of the DNR.

The sun has risen for the second time since two trains collided in Slinger.

Day One saw an intense effort to clear any threat to residents, and clear the way for train traffic to resume.

Dozens of residents were evacuated on Sunday night -- as hazmat crews responded to the scene of the train collision. There was concern that flammable diesel fuel could catch fire.

On Day Two, Canadian National employees were doing some digging and testing near the railroad crossing at Kettle Moraine Drive.

"I haven't seen a wreck in quite awhile," Steve Voigt said.

Voigt drove down from Oshkosh on Tuesday -- to the scene of the train collision. He says he's wondering how the company is cleaning up the spilled diesel fuel.

"Get down into the water table, and then you are asking for trouble," Voigt said.

Slinger School District Superintendent Daren Sievers has a pretty good view of the crash site from Slinger High School. It happened in the school's backyard.

"They are trying to get all that diesel spillage under control," Sievers said.

One of the derailed engines remained on its side on Tuesday, and a rail car was on scene, holding lumber yet to be carried away.

Sievers has opened Slinger High School for contractors to work as they contain the diesel spill.

"Our big thing was to make sure we gave them free access to the school campus to get wherever they needed to continue the clean up efforts," Sievers said.

Canadian National has contracted the cleaning crew, and according to the Wisconsin DNR, it has to submit its plan to state officials.

School activities were cancelled on Monday, but they have resumed play.

However, there is a lot more to do before everything is back to the way it was before the train collision.

Removing the derailed engine will be a particularly delicate task -- as there is a risk more diesel could leak out as they attempt to upright it.

The entire cleanup operation could last several more days.

Related stories: