Amtrak train derails in Washington state railway cars plummet from overpass onto I-5

[Jeff P]

Article at BBC -
Amtrak Washington train crash: Deaths as carriages fall on US motorway:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42401707

At least three people have been confirmed killed after a US passenger train derailed onto a motorway in Washington state during rush hour on Monday morning.

and:

A state transport spokesperson was quoted in the Seattle Times newspaper as saying the curve where the train derailed had a 30mph (48km/h) speed limit.

Barbara LaBoe said the limit on most of the track was 79mph (128km/h) but drivers were supposed to slow dramatically at the spot where the train derailed.

She said warning signs were in place two miles before the lowered limit. The Associated Press reported that a website mapping train speeds suggested the train may have been travelling at 81mph before the derailment.

and:

A local news reporter who was on the train, but got off at a stop just before the crash, said many of those on board were railway enthusiasts, keen to experience the first high-speed train on the new route.

Every passenger was given a commemorative lanyard and badge to mark their journey, he said.

Simply horrible that this could happen - and on the high speed route's maiden voyage no less.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.


-jp

.

[woodtoo]

Odd there are no additional posts here.

I just heard on FOX radio the train was going 80 in a 35 zone?
If so WTH were they thinking.

[RunForTheRoses]

Originally Posted by woodtoo

Odd there are no additional posts here.

I just heard on FOX radio the train was going 80 in a 35 zone?
If so WTH were they thinking.

I heard that there was something on the track? Could be antifa? It is amazing there wasn't more casualties.

[woodtoo]

Originally Posted by RunForTheRoses

I heard that there was something on the track? Could be antifa? It is amazing there wasn't more casualties.

Yes I have heard that antifa has previously disrupted this exact route and seen screen shots of the threats and sabotage plans.

[davew]

Originally Posted by woodtoo

Odd there are no additional posts here.

I just heard on FOX radio the train was going 80 in a 35 zone?
If so WTH were they thinking.

They were running 15 minutes late - the track was upgraded to handle 80 mph in most places - the 35 mph zone is localized around curves and overpass - new route (first run with passengers) and good possibility the engineer not familiar area - Positive Train Control system not yet operating in that location.

[FantasticDan]

Originally Posted by RunForTheRoses

I heard that there was something on the track? Could be antifa? It is amazing there wasn't more casualties.

Originally Posted by woodtoo

Yes I have heard that antifa has previously disrupted this exact route and seen screen shots of the threats and sabotage plans.

[woodtoo]

Thats IT!!! you schmuck.

[Marshall Bennett]

Considering the numbers in passengers, travel by train has to be thousands of times more risky than air. Just the idea of something moving that fast on rails has a sense of danger to it.

[barahona44]

Originally Posted by Marshall Bennett

Considering the numbers in passengers, travel by train has to be thousands of times more risky than air. Just the idea of something moving that fast on rails has a sense of danger to it.

Might be part of the thrill. You feel it.

Unless there's turbulence a jet going 400-500 mph feels like being on an escalator.

[zico20]

Yes Dan, because antifa would never do anything disruptive.

[FantasticDan]

Originally Posted by zico20

Yes Dan, because antifa would never do anything disruptive.

I guess there's room for one more on that poster

[zico20]

Originally Posted by FantasticDan

I guess there's room for one more on that poster

I have seen enough videos of them beating people up for no reason. I guess you are just in denial.

[kingfin66]

This was an awful tragedy that happened in our community yesterday. I-5 remains closed; however, most of the train cars have now been cleared from the bridge and the freeway. Only the front locomotive remains, stretched across multiple lanes of southbound I-5. Unfortunately, a friend of mine was one of the cars struck by debris. After seeing pictures of her car and hearing her account of the incident, it is a miracle that she escaped injury. She first thought that it was a mudslide coming at her so she hit the accelerator as hard and fast as she could. Had she not done so she would be dead. It is really miraculous that none of the motorists on I-5 were killed. That is a very busy stretch of freeway and the time of the incident coincides with rush hour as people were heading to Olympia, our state capitol.

It is really sad to see speculation about the causes of the accident. The only facts that are known right now (or at least have been released) is that the train was speeding and the Positive Train Control system was not activated. Nobody knows why the train was speeding or why it derailed. Speculation at this time is really pointless as is the fringe political talk that is prevalent in this forum. The best thing to do right now is focus on the people who lost their lives in the tragedy and those who were injured. Kudos to the many first responders from local law enforcement, fire and Joint Base Lewis McChord. Their quick actions and aid saved many lives.

[RunForTheRoses]

Originally Posted by FantasticDan

Cmon now brah, I'm very intelligent.

[kingfin66]

My friend was in this car and hit by debris from the train derailment. Scary stuff.