The last weekend of the 2010 operating season for the Sullivan Underground Mining Railway was not without one small hiccup — a loci derailed on the upper side of the tunnel.

Lorne Boates of the Society said that these derailments are not uncommon, though this was the first one this year.

“The loci went off the track and the train stopped immediately,” Boates said.

“Passengers were returned to the station by bus. A report will be sent to Safety BC Authority and they will tell us if they think its serious or not. We have had derailments like this for years, sometimes as many as four in one year.”

Boates says the track was sprung at the derailment location — meaning at track that should be 36 inches was 37 and a quarter inches, causing the loci, travelling at a speed of three kph, to pop off the track.

“All we had to do was jack the train up and put it back on the tracks. There was no damage. One fellow in the back car banged his knee at the sudden stop. There were no other injuries reported and no damage to the loci or coaches.”

The Sullivan Underground Mining Railway is now closed for the winter after a very successful summer season.