Revelstoke British Columbia - A CP train has derailed in downtown Revelstoke Thursday afternoon.
 
Two cars of the train jumped the track as it was slowly heading west out of town at around 14:00 on Thursday, 2 Apr 2015.
 
The derailment took place across the street from the Visitor Information Centre.
 
George Hopkins witnessed the train derailment.
 
A retired railroader, he and his son were watching the train slowly pass by when they heard a bang and it jumped the track.
 
They both rushed to contact CP.
 
The derailed cars appear to be grain cars, though their exact contents are not known.
 
They were preceded and followed by a long line of black containers cars that often carry liquids and dangerous goods.
 
One car was lying on its side, one set of wheels was completely detached from the car, and remained on the tracks.
 
The second car was only partially jerked from the tracks.
 
The derailed car spilled its load of lentils and peas.
 
Numerous CP Rail personnel were on scene.
 
Revelstoke RCMP and Fire and Rescue Services also attended the incident.
 
A Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said they were not deploying to the scene but would be monitoring the situation.
 
Many people gathered on Victoria Road to watch the scene unfold.
 
A few retired railroaders remarked it had been many years since a train derailed right downtown.
 
It's the second derailment within city limits within the past year.
 
A train derailed in the Big Eddy last September.
 
Last month, Mike Lovecchio, the CP director for government affairs was in Salmon Arm to address the Columbia Shuswap Regional District about rail safety.
 
He said CP was leading the pack when it comes to rail safety, but that it was also moving more dangerous goods.
 
CP recently held a training session with Revelstoke Fire and Rescue Services to address the possibility of a spill of dangerous goods.

Alex Cooper.