A Union Pacific coal train derailed Sunday, July 26, near Eureka, Mo., sending 26 cars off the rails and striking a bridge support that forced the closure of a nearby roadway overpass and interrupted Amtrak service, authorities said.
What happened
The derailment involved a 135-car freight train on Union Pacific's Jefferson City Subdivision, according to local emergency responders. Crews reported no injuries following the incident, the Eureka Fire Protection District said in a Facebook post.
"No injuries were reported," the Eureka Fire Protection District said in its Facebook post.
One derailed car struck a support for the Lewis Road bridge that spans the railroad tracks, prompting St. Louis County and area contractors to close the bridge pending further inspection and repairs. Local officials told television station KTVI that the overpass dates to the 1920s and was compromised but did not appear to be in immediate danger of collapse.
Rail service impacts
The derailment disrupted passenger rail operations. Amtrak canceled both round trips of the Missouri River Runner scheduled for Monday, July 27, and said alternate bus transportation would be provided to affected passengers.
Sunday evening's River Runner No. 316 was stopped at Washington, Mo., because of the derailment. Passengers completed the remainder of their trip by bus and arrived at their destination more than five hours late — at 2:53 a.m. the following day, Amtrak reported.
Local context and response
Eureka is about 30 miles west of St. Louis, on a segment of Union Pacific's Jefferson City Subdivision used by heavy freight traffic. Closure of the Lewis Road bridge affects local travel patterns and could shift traffic to alternate crossings while inspections and any necessary repairs are completed.
St. Louis County and its subcontractors are evaluating the structural condition of the 1920s-era overpass. Officials have not yet released a timeline for reopening the bridge or for removal and recovery of the derailed cars.
Union Pacific has not issued a public statement in the reports available, and county officials provided limited immediate detail beyond the bridge closure and the absence of reported injuries.
What travellers should know
- Amtrak passengers on the Missouri River Runner should expect alternate bus service and schedule changes while the line is cleared.
- Motorists who normally use Lewis Road bridge must follow posted detours until inspections finish and any repairs are scheduled.
- Residents near the derailment site should remain alert for official guidance from Eureka Fire Protection District and St. Louis County regarding road closures or safety perimeters.
At the time of the initial local reports, emergency crews emphasized that no injuries were reported and that response agencies were coordinating to secure the scene and evaluate infrastructure damage. Additional technical assessments by rail and county engineers will determine next steps for bridge repair and track restoration.
| Detail | Report |
|---|---|
| Derailment date | Sunday, July 26, 2026 |
| Train | Union Pacific coal train, 135 cars |
| Cars derailed | 26 |
| Bridge affected | Lewis Road overpass (1920s-era) |
| Amtrak impact | Missouri River Runner trips canceled for July 27; alternate bus transport provided |
Readers with information or those seeking updates should monitor official channels from the Eureka Fire Protection District, St. Louis County, Amtrak and Union Pacific for further announcements. This newsroom will update the story as more details become available.
This report is based on local emergency agency postings and media reports available as of July 27, 2026.
