V&T commission-owned engine derails briefly this weekend

A $420,000 engine owned by the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway derailed briefly in California on Sunday.

There was reportedly no damage.

Sierra Railroad, the selected operator of the future V&T Railway, has leased McCloud No. 18 from the commission since spring 2007.

The engine was leading a tour through Cooperstown, Calif., about 20 miles east of Modesto, when one wheel went off the track for about half an hour, said Robert Pinoli, company vice president.

He said the company is not sure why the incident happened but because there is no damage, there will be no investigation.

He called the incident "minor" and compared it to getting a flat tire on a car.

"It happens," he said.