Seeing conversation about this on Facebook. Looks to be right at the south end of the bridge, north of Steilacoom, Washington. From what I can gather, so far no injuries reported.
Yeah, seen it on the news here. The bridge wasn't closed yet, the derails weren't closed, and even the bridge tender was running TOWARDS the train to stop it, and jumped in the water when he realized it was too late. Luckily, no cars in the water and no major injuries!!
Heard there were some minor injuries? Still wondering how this could have happened. Signals should have stopped that train, long before any derail. I have trouble believing they would rely upon the bridge tender to set their signals. Seems like they should be tied to the bridge opening, somehow automatically. And then have a timer once the bridge is closed, to be certain all is set up for rail traffic to pass.
I agree. Something or someone really screwed up here. Just hope no one operating was on a cell phone at the time.
Yeah, you'd think a block signal previous to the bridge signal would have been yellow, or "approach medium", well within two miles of it. Hmmmm.......
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle...amed-for-amtrak-derailment-near-chambers-bay/ This seems to hint at the same outcome as I had earlier guessed.
Per the article, "BNSF has installed new-generation positive train-control systems, which use satellite technology to prevent collisions and missed signals. Amtrak is scheduled to install this technology in its locomotives by the end of 2018." Something ironic about this, that freight railroads have yielded to the Federal PTC mandate, but government-funded Amtrak, having the most to gain in saving lives, is making little progress.
That sort of audio is chilling isn't it? Back in 1987 I heard the train radio audio recorded just after the Conrail/Amtrak crash at Gunpow Interlocking, MD, taking the lives of sixteen people. It's just awful, that breathless and emotional call to the Dispatcher trying to capture the enormity of what had happened.
The dispatcher is certainly well controlled, as far as any emotions. Is doing a very good job. I wonder if that audio you mentioned is available on the 'Net?
'Ironic' is one way to describe it. I personally prefer, 'infuriating'. Our railroads would still be running their own passenger trains if they hadn't gotten caught between a rock and a hard place--namely the ICC and John Erlichmann of Watergate fame. Both the ICC and Erlichmann are dead now, and there has to be a way to reverse the process that created Anthrax. Give the railroads the equipment, and let them run the trains! They'd agree to run them just to avoid the aggravation of cleaning up after these government wrecks.
Sounds familiar to the Conrail Paulsboro NJ derailment in part because of a faulty swing bridge locking system.
I've looked for it without success. I might have a very short portion of it on an audio tape somewhere.