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Amtrak’s Empire Builder derails in Montana
Conclusion, switch NOT fixed… This WILL occur again…
What is a “partial” derailment? If it means some cars are still on the track, most derailments are “partial”.
that photo sure doesn’t look like the empire builder to me!
So the best stock photo they could find to go with this story is of a single-level push-pull train, instead of a pic with Superliners?
And the photo is certainly not Hiawatha service on the old Milw. Rd. between Chi. and Milw.
that would be “affect…”
that would be “affect…”
I was on this train going to Montana for vacation. The derailment happened as we went over a switch into a siding. I was behind the stairwell bulkhead (more legroom) so I didn’t see the motion of the car ahead of us but surely felt the heavier “bump”. The passenger across from me said the car ahead seemed to tilt to a much larger degree than usual. We were 3 cars ahead of the eventual derailment.
The conductor came on and advised us to all remain in our seats as we were stopping. He then called all the attendants to the back of the train. About 3 to 5 minutes later we were informed of the derailment and that Corporate would decide further action.
No one was seriously injured but one party who had a previous injury not related to travel was sent to the Hospital to be checked out and returned before we left to continue on.
Later at dinner we felt a good sideways jolt and it caused a lady across from me to go to tears. She was consoled by the others at her table so even though we were all safe there was some emotional distress.
So as to the partial derailment… the trailing axle on the next to last car jumped the frog and went into the siding so that it was at a 45 degree angle to the rest of the train. The last car followed it into the siding and one or both of it’s trucks went on the ground.
Someone in the last car got pictures out the back door showing the south side rail torn off the ties. He said that there was a lot of
ballast being kicked up so it appears the worst of it was experienced in the last sleeper.
As my first experience of a train derailment I was not that much affected myself and will continue to ride the Empire Builder to visit my Brothers and Sister in Montana.
dont we all know what the empire builder looks like…really such petty comments.
dont we all know what the empire builder looks like…really such petty comments.
WHYare so many being PICKY about the picture. it is the story…trains just use a picture as a reference…maybe trains could keep a lot of comments out of their newsletter by omitting photos
I know the consist on the Builder is longer than the typical 8 Superliner lashup, but what extra cars were attached? 18 cars seems to be a lot for 117 or whatever people.
To answer your question about passenger loads, Joe. I’ll give you a little education: Passengers generally DON’T ride from point “A” all the way to point “B”, At some point, there will times of heavy ridership and other times the train will be empty. Ride a crosstown bus from one end of the line to the other and you will see what I’m telling you. Many Amtrak detractors say the same damn thing you stated.