http://heavy.com/news/2017/12/train-derailment-tacoma-washington-highway-photos/ I wonder if any Talgo cars were struck by automobiles?
Given reports that some parts of the train fell on road vehicles and that an Interstate was involved, it seems providential that nobody on the ground was killed. Unfortunately, the reporting so far indicates deaths among the train passengers.
I know exactly where this happened. They've re-routed these trains off BNSF's line along Puget Sound. And if I recall correctly, today was actually the first official operation on this track. It is an old Northern Pacific RY segment. Supposedly upgraded for just this use. Not sure who really owns it now.
CNN is showing helicopter views now - this is a bad wreck. Initial video looked as if a single car fell off the end, but what we didn't see in those views was practically an entire train behind the bridge on the floor. Possibly could have been a pusher and it looks like it just pushed everything off the tracks. Man.
CNN notes the speed limit at the incident site was 79mph, the train was going 81 and change. Doubtful that 2mph caused it. The speed limit would not have such a small margin for error, would it?
Been watching this on the local news channels here, pretty horrific scene. Prayers to the families of all involved.
Lead loco still on the rails and rail doesn't look too damaged. Rear loco on the ground and really torn up. It does look like the rear of the train pushed the forward part off the rails. Doug
Actually, looking at overhead shots, the cab car was leading and the power was pushing. From overhead, it looks like the train derailed going into the curve, cabcar went over the embankment and onto the freeway! The power continued to push the train when it jackknifed at the scene, and cars went all over. At this location, the tracks are next to I-5 SB, then curve over the freeway at this point, to join up with the BNSF main just SW of here.
Oops, I see now the lead loco (or cab car) went off and the rear one is still on the rails. I was thinking the train was going the other way. Doug
Interesting. I read your post, then saw this map from the Washington State Dept. of Transportation that helped me to understand better. Just a terrible thing to have happen.
This mornings it was being reported that the train was traveling on UP rails, former SP, at 18 mph. Who do we trust for accurate information?
Geez!! This is former NP, then BN, then BNSF, then Tacoma Rail, and now Amtrak!! Good ol' news sources!! I believe this segment before the track upgrade was only 30mph, but being the same radius curve, even with superelevation after the upgrade, could it handle 79mph? Tragic anyway you look at, prayers for all involved.
Reports I've seen, sourced to AP, call it a 79 mph rated section. No stated ownership in the reports I've seen so far.
I know the curve is exaggerated by most photos we see but that curve seems a bit too sharp for 79 MPH. Doug
Current BBC report: Amtrak Washington train crash: Investigators focus on speedhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42408624 Donald Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
VERY, VERY inaccurate. Location wrong. Railroad references wrong. Speed wrong. As someone who lived in western Taxington for nearing fifty years, (a "native"), I know this area. My father was originally from Tacoma. This was just SW of Dupont, Washington. (Dupont, the name referencing the company which made munitions), is WELL south of Tacoma, (as some are reporting it), and actually very close to Lacey, Washington. If you look at a map, to your left of this site is well known to truckers and for traffic issues on I-5 "Nisqually Hill". Just past it's summit you enter Lacey. This horrible incident is at the far SW corner of Fort Lewis, now JBLM. SP NEVER entered the State of Washington. This track has never been related to UP. It is, as I noted earlier, a former NP segment. Media- A for-profit business, where sensationalism makes them big bucks.
Regardless of any "upgrades", I doubt this particular segment could handle 79mph. While we know virtually nothing except the tragic outcome, speculation about speed might explain the cause.
I am seeing word posted elsewhere, that since this was a first official run, two well known area railfans were aboard and are among the fatalities.