Railroad spokesman Gus Melonas told the Associated Press that no environmental threat was reported from the 30 cars that overturned along the Columbia River Gorge near Pasco, Franklin County.
An undetermined amount of coal was spilled in the 6pm accident.
The train was loaded with Powder River Basin coal and was headed for British Columbia, Canada.
BNSF said Tuesday that, as an investigation began into the cause, heavy equipment was being sent to clear the debris and replace damaged track.
In the meantime, some of the line’s rail traffic was rerouted.
BNSF operates in 28 US states and two Canadian provinces. It and Union Pacific are the two largest shippers for the nation’s western coalfields.
