TWO FREIGHT TRAINS COLLIDE NEAR LUDLOW

Two freight trains collided deep in the Mojave Desert yesterday, where 20 rail cars derailed and 20 feet of railroad ties caught fire, according the County Fire Department. The wreck was reported at 2:58 p.m. Tuesday, beside Interstate 40, about 50 miles east of Barstow and three miles west of the tiny community of Ludlow. No one was hurt. Both trains were traveling in the same direction. “It appears that one train was switching over to a parallel set of tracks when the second train came through and they made contact,” said Eric Sherwin. “Both trains were loaded with produce: corn and other vegetables. “We had no release of hazardous materials.” But the tracks are expected to be closed through Wednesday while repair crews remove debris. For photos of the incident, go to www.sbcfire.org under Latest News.