The derailment occurred at the same location as two previous derailments - one in 2002 and one in 1991 - both of which were blamed on strong canyon winds.
BN spokesman Gus Melonas said there were no injuries in Friday's mishap, and no hazardous materials were involved.
"It was really whipping this morning," he said. "To knock over train cars, you know it has to be howling."
Melonas said the derailment occurred shortly after 4 a.m. as the westbound freight train with two locomotives and 75 cars was crossing the Midvale Trestle, a low bridge on the western outskirts of East Glacier.
The cars that derailed were all flatbed cars carrying double-stacked steel containers, Melonas said. One of the containers was carrying auto parts, but the others were empty, he said. Eleven of the cars ended up in the ravine, and five of the empty containers landed in the creek, Melonas said.
Melonas said a BN crew was on the site Friday morning and officials expected to have the track cleared and repaired by Friday afternoon.
Amtrak's eastbound and westbound Empire Builder passenger trains, which use the track, were being held until the line is repaired, Melonas said.
Melonas said the Midvale Trestle area is notorious for strong winds that can come up without warning.
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