Near Portis, 14 miles to the northwest of Downs, winds toppled 73 empty railcars and smashed part of a farmstead.

"We had a little blow," Downs City Superintendent Dave Goheen said of the storm that rolled into the area about 10 p.m., leaving an inch of rain, maybe more. "We probably had another inch blow over the rain gauge."

A string of about 300 railcars was parked on an abandoned rail line three miles west of Portis, said Jerry DeWitt, assistant general manager of the Phillipsburg-based Kyle Railroad. Most are hopper cars used for hauling grain, but some were boxcars. All are owned by General Electric, which pays the Kyle Railroad to store them, the Journal reported.

The 73 railcars were found lying south of the tracks. The cars had only minor damage -- bent ladders and air brake systems that need repairs -- but the cleanup won't be easy.

"It could be weeks," DeWitt said. "I'm sure it's going to be expensive."

Cranes and other equipment will be needed to place the railcars back on the tracks.