At approximately 1032hrs local time on 24 June 2012, representatives from Union Pacific the reporting party and potentially responsible party (PRP) notified the National Response Center (NRC Report No. 1015531) of an incident that occurred at 1007hrs on 24 June 2012 involving a collision between two locomotives. The incident location was at Milepost 484, approximately 2 miles east of the city of Goodwell, Texas County, Oklahoma (Geographical coordinates 36.609187°N -101.602949°E). According to the PRP at the time of reporting the incident to the NRC the incident was described as a collision between an eastbound train and a westbound train.  It was unknown if there was a release of hazardous material from any of the rail cars, but a quantity of spilled diesel from the locomotives had been reported.  At the time of the NRC report injuries were expected but there was no information available.  The caller also stated that the cause of the collision is under investigation. Supplimental information regarding the incident relayed to EPA included that there was a diesel and cargo fed fire, and there were up to 7 rail-cars containing a hazardous material.

1.1.2.1 Location
2 miles east of Goodwell, Texas County, Oklahoma off State Highway 54, (Geographical coordinates 36.609187°N -101.602949°E).

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The east bound and the westbound locomotives were transporting primarily consumer goods, including automobiles, electronics, kitchen supplies, etc. The eastbound locomotive was hauling 7 rail-cars containing a resin with flammable characteristics (hazardous material).

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Most of the fire-water applied to control the fire evaporated due to extremely high temperatures, the incident location is agricultural and there is a limited potential for fire-water to enter a body of water. During initial response activities rail-cars containing HAZMAT were sprayed with water to reduce exposure to heat prior to removal from the incident location.

After updates from the PRP, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 Prevention and Response Branch (PRB) Phone Duty Officer contacted and activated the Response Duty On-Scene Coordinator for mobilization with the updated incident information at approximately 1800 on 24 June 2012.  The EPA OSC activated the Region 6 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor to conduct a Tier 1 response.  

A Tier 1 response criteria includes: provide air monitoring support, document facts regarding cause of the incident, quantify any released material into the environment and affected media, assess the extent of the affected area, document and observe response activities to ensure that all necessary remedial actions are being taken to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA and START departed Dallas, Texas in the EPA R1 Emergency Response vehicle and arrived at the site at approximately 0330hrs on 25 June 2012. Upon arrival at the site, EPA and START coordinated with PRP Emergency Response Coordinator Mr. Heard for an update regarding current site conditions and response activities. Mr. Heard stated that the fire was under control and fire fighters from Guymon and Goodwell Fire Departments were still applying water in some areas and monitoring site conditions. Heard also stated that at this time a number of rail cars are being demolished by means of heavy equipment to facilitate dousing of remaining isolated fires inside rail cars. He stated that there were seven rail cars containing HAZMAT (a resin, placarded as flammable) that were prioritized for isolation at early stages of the response and were now some distance from the site.