About 40 people in Emerson, Man., will likely remain out of their homes on Tuesday night as crews continue to deal with a morning train derailment near the Canada-U.S. border.

Cars carrying propane went off the tracks in the border town, near Taylor Avenue and Fifth Street East, at around 7:30 a.m. CT Tuesday.

Two of the derailed cars were carrying propane, while a third car was open but had nothing inside, said Bill Spanjer, the Town of Emerson's municipal emergency co-ordinator.

RCMP say no one was injured and no leaks were detected.

"We're talking about several cars, whether you call it derailment or toppling off the tracks … just crossing the border at a very slow speed. So we're not talking about a major disaster," Emerson Mayor Wayne Arseny said at around midday.

Arseny said crews from four fire departments are at the scene, while CN Rail crews are heading to Emerson to bring the cars back on the track.

"It's going to take time for the equipment to come down from Winnipeg or whatever. I would imagine most of the day," he said.

"It's a slow process but nonetheless, this is the main line, so I can't see it lasting for too long. The railway lines want to get moving and people want to get back to their homes."

About 40 people who live near the derailment scene had to leave their homes as a precaution.

Spanjer said the town will maintain the evacuation order until the rail cars are on the tracks again.

Officials estimate the repair equipment will arrive early Tuesday evening, and they don't expect the cars will be back on the tracks until sometime after midnight.

As a result, Spanjer is asking the evacuees — many of whom had gone to work before the derailment happened — to check in with emergency staff at the Emerson Community Complex.

The evacuees are being encouraged to stay with friends or family in Emerson. If they cannot secure alternative arrangements, emergency officials will help find accommodations for them, Spanjer said.