02:58 PM CST on Sunday, February 13, 2005

Associated Press

SAN MARCOS, Texas — A Union Pacific official says a stretch of Central Texas railroad is open today as officials continue investigating what caused a seven-car derailment that shut down the line over the weekend.

Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis said today that the railroad track reopened last night.

It was closed down the night before following the derailment of train cars carrying at least residual amounts of hazardous materials.

No injuries were reported, but officials say about 200 San Marcos residents were evacuated from their homes for several hours until officials determined that there were no leaks.

Davis says four of the cars last contained sulfuric acid, which is harmful to the skin, and one car last contained xylene, a flammable liquid.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP-02-13-05 1433CST