15 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

 

Speed, human error blamed for Amtrak derailment near Chambers Bay.

An Amtrak spokeswoman said the train’s engineer was removed from his post following the accident.

 

Update from the Seattle Times.

 

 

About 100 yards before the Chambers Bay bridge, the northbound passenger train passed a final signal that, when red, tells the engineer to stop because the drawbridge is being raised or lowered. The train then moved through a derail device that knocked it off the rails before reaching the bridge, Amtrak said.

 

 

Very similar the the Jersey Central Newark Bay Drawbridge accident in 1958:

 

History.com - Train Plunges off Bridge

New York Daily News Flashback - New Jersey train plunges off a bridge into Newark Bay killing more than 40 in 1958

Wikipedia - Newark Bay rail accident

[KevinKorell]

Statesman-Journal, Salem, OR, 7/7/17:

 

High speed caused Amtrak derailment near Tacoma

 

An engineer was driving an Amtrak passenger train too fast in Washington state on Sunday and caused it to derail as it headed north, officials said Thursday.

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

Seattle, WA Times, 7/7/17:

 

 

Washington and Oregon want more answers, change from Amtrak after derailment

 

Washington and Oregon state officials are calling on Amtrak to produce an emergency-response plan and improve how it informs passengers, in the aftermath of Sunday’s derailment at Chambers Bay, south of Tacoma.

SNIP

 

The states also asked for estimates of the cost of repairs to the Oregon-owned passenger railcars on the damaged train, called the Mt. Jefferson, and said they expect Amtrak to pay those expenses.

 

Story here.

[KevinKorell]

KING-TV, Channel 5 in Seattle, WA, 8/15/17:

 

State taxpayers may pay for Amtrak derailment

 

 

Taxpayers may end up paying for a derailment last month that was caused by an Amtrak employee’s operating error.

 

An Amtrak Cascades train carrying 267 holiday weekend travelers derailed on July 2 near Steilacoom.

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

Trains Magazine 'Newswire,' 11/15/17 (Late Post):
 

Talgo train returns to Milwaukee for repairs

 

 

SEATTLE — A convoy of trucks is on its way to Milwaukee, Wis., carrying all 14 pieces of a Talgo train damaged in a derailment this summer.

The Mt. Jefferson derailed July 2 when Amtrak Cascades train 502 went through a derail after passing a lift bridge stop signal south of Tacoma, Wash.

The carbody of the unit nearest to the locomotive originally appeared to be twisted, Talgo’s Josh Coran tells Trains News Wire, “but it turned out that the deformation was entirely within the elastic range of the material and the body returned to its original, straight, condition when the load (transmitted through the coupler) from the leaning locomotive was removed.”

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

Trains Magazine 'Newswire,' 3/29/18 (Late Post):
 

Repaired 'Mount Jefferson' Talgo set for Pacific Northwest return

 

 

MILWAUKEE – While Amtrak may be phasing out chartered trains, it has at least one more to run this month. The Oregon Department of Transportation Series 8 Talgo Mount Jefferson is ready for its journey home following repair work at Talgo's Milwaukee facility.

A source close to the passenger carrier tells Trains News Wire that the train will depart Milwaukee on Friday for Seattle on the route of the Empire Builder. It has Amtrak P42 No. 161 for power.

 

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