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Amtrak Cascades 501 derails near Nisqually Junction


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#11 KevinKorell

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 05:26 PM

Amtrak update 9:30 AM PT:

 

 

 

Service Disruption South of Seattle

 

 

Amtrak Cascades services impacted
9:30 a.m. PT

 

Amtrak Cascades Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland, derailed south of Tacoma, Wash. There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.

 

Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101.  Local emergency responders are on the scene. 

 

Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. No alternate transportation will be available.

 

Additional updates will be provided when available.

 

This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

 

Note that service is not totally cancelled.   501 obviously was annulled at the scene.  Its equipment, which turns as 504 back to Seattle and then 509 back to Portland, also is cancelled.  Other trains are running on a detour route, which until yesterday was the regular route.



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#12 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 06:58 PM

Is it too early to ask about the two Wisconsin TALGO sets? Just wondering, because eventually, going to need something to maintain the schedule.

#13 CNJRoss

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 07:43 PM

USA Today, updated 4:31 pm PDT 12/18/17:
 

Amtrak train going 80 mph just before derailing around 30 mph curve; 3 dead

 

 

DUPONT, Wash. — An Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle and killed at least three people was going more than 80 mph moments before it entered a curve where the recommended speed tops out at 30 mph, according to Amtrak and state transportation figures.

 

The train's speed and the posted speed limit are likely to be key points for federal accident investigators, who are trying to determine why the train — on its inaugural run — flew off the rails and caused several rail cars to plunge off a bridge overpass and onto a traffic-clogged interstate.

 

Continue here.



#14 CNJRoss

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 08:15 PM

GPS World, 12/18/17:
 

No positive train control on train that derailed over I-5

 

 

SNIP

 

The Amtrak/Cascade trains are pulled by new Charger locomotive. While equipped with positive train control systems that automatically stop trains when troubled is detected, the PTC system isn’t due to be activated until 2018.

 

SNIP

 

According to John F. Banzhaf, the accident could have been avoided with an inexpensive GPS-based speed control system. Banzhaf is an MIT-trained professor who is also an inventor with two U.S. patents.

 

Banzhaf argues that trains should be using a simple GPS-based system to prevent excessive speeds, and not waiting for the delayed and expensive PTC.

 

More here.



#15 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 08:54 PM

InThe Facebook comments on this ate getting out of hand, I tried my best.

#16 CNJRoss

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 08:58 PM

The Washington Post, 7:31 pm EST 12/18/17:
 

At least 3 killed after Amtrak train derails in Washington state, spilling onto busy highway

 

 

At least three people were killed and scores more injured when an Amtrak train on its inaugural trip on a new route derailed south of Seattle on Monday morning while crossing a bridge above a busy highway, authorities said.

 

Officials said 13 cars jumped the tracks. A spokeswoman for the Washington State Patrol confirmed three deaths and said all the cars had been searched.

 

SNIP

 

“On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, we are deeply saddened by all that has happened today. We will do everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families,”Amtrak President and Co-Chief Executive Richard Anderson said.

 

SNIP

 

“We are waiting for [the National Transportation Safety Board] and Amtrak to come here so they can finish their investigation. It is safe to say this is going well into the night.”

 

SNIP

 

At a news conference at NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C., board member Bella Dinh-Zarr had few details about the crash or potential causes, but said agency officials would know more once their team of 20 investigators arrives at the scene late Monday night.

 

SNIP

 

Dinh-Zarr said it was too early to determine the speed that the train was going when the derailment occurred, but acknowledged that speed is one of the first factors that they will be looking at once investigators arrive on the scene. They will also be assessing what crash-avoidance technology existed on the tracks or on the train, and whether that technology functioned properly.

 

More here.



#17 Lightning

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 10:34 PM

A cryin' shame--and on the inaugural run.  I had such high hopes for this route.  Brings back memories from years ago of a big retail store which burned to the ground on grand opening day.  Many news outlets continue to refer to this as a "high-speed" train.  And one of the national news networks referred to it this evening as a "commuter train".  


"Big Green Chauvanist"

#18 KevinKorell

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Posted 18 December 2017 - 11:58 PM

Yes, Mark throughout the course of the day I heard "commuter train" and "high speed".   Yes it was faster than trains could operate on the old route, but it was rated at the maximum of 79 mph.    How the curve comes into play and whether the engineer slowed for that curve remains to be determined before anyone jumps to conclusions.  But it is NOT by any means high speed rail.  And further complicating matters is that commuter trains (Sounder) have used the Bypass route since service was extended to Lakewood, although they don't go as far south as where the incident happened.  

 

More confusion also existed with the use of the word "inaugural".   One reporter presented it as if the whole Cascades route had just launched today. And that is because of the nomenclature used today where "trains" and "routes" somehow mean the same thing to some people. Yes trains was added to the schedule as of today, and yes they were all taking a new route between Tacoma and Olympia. But they said that new routes were added, including Train 501 that had never operated in that early timeslot.

 

I also heard many times that the lead engine was the only equipment that did not derail.  The 181 engine (the one in Amtrak livery) was on the rear of the train in the trailing position.   The lead engine in Cascades livery did go on the ground, although I have not yet heard where that ended up among the derailed cars that went into the woods.



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#19 KevinKorell

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Posted 19 December 2017 - 12:12 AM

Amtrak's latest press release as of 7 PM PST:

 

 

 

Service Disruption South of Seattle

 

Amtrak Cascades services impacted
7:00 p.m. PT

 

Amtrak Cascades Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland, derailed south of Tacoma, Wash. There were approximately 80 passengers and five crew members on board.  Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. 502 will be cancelled on Tuesday, Dec. 19. No alternate transportation will be available.

 

Trains will be operating out of the original Tacoma Station located at 1001 Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98421.  Additional updates will be provided when available.

 

Anyone can subscribe to automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations. Notifications can be given for up to six trains and stations by either text or email and delivered when you choose - on a single day, every day, or just certain days of the week. Create a subscription at Amtrak.com/delayalerts.

 

Passengers with travel plans also can confirm their train's status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.

 

This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.



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#20 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 19 December 2017 - 01:16 AM

Any reports on how the schedule will be for Friday? I got a ticket for a day trip, 501. Just waiting for details.




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