http://www.kmph.com/story/19686792/amtrak-train-big-rig-crash-near-hanford
What is it that TTs like to hit AMTRAK? This raming into the AMTRAK train may have many of the same factors as the Cal Z accident ? The TT must have had a lot of speed and weight to tilt the train as the CZ was not displaced as much.
Many videos on the below site;
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8829995
TT was loaded and on its side. looks like it hit the third car. Train appeared to be in push mode and the loco was leaning over. Very fortunate that were only 40+ injuries with only 7 to hospital ( TT driver was one ).
As a passenger on the train I can tell you that the truck was loaded with dirt and cotton waste and the driver never really slowed down! It was quite an experience!
can you give us a full report or have you been asked to refrain at the present time ?
I was sitting in the first car very close to the engineers cab [train in push mode] so I could hear the chatter between the cab and dispatch. The gates were down and the truck hit the train between cars 3 & 4. The train seemed to be coming to full speed, there was a jolt, the engineer applied the emergency brakes and then it seemed the trains emergency brakes hit again or it could have been the drag of cars that derailed. Our car stayed on track. The engineer was instantly on the radio DEMANDING emergency services, it seemed dispatch wanted to go over a list of questions but the engineer wanted the first responders called. When that was done by dispatch he was then required to go through the protocol. At the same time the conductor was getting people off the tipped cars as quickly as possible as the engine was leaking fuel. With in 10 mins. the first responders were arriving and with in 20 mins. there were at least 10 agencies on hand and they worked flawlessly together. About 12 mins. all the passengers were off the train and standing in a alfalfa field as the injured were assessed. It was over 100 degrees so train staff and volunteers were handing out water till we could be taken to Hanford to be processed and sent on our way. It should be noted that the ENGINEER and CONDUCTOR were the most professional people I have ever seen in a crisis that I have ever seen! All the train staff were excellent, very helpful, and knew what to do! It was really great to see…on the other hand, Amtrack staff at Bakersfield and Union Station in L A were were useless and less than helpful! The first responders and the people of Hanford were wonderful and truly tried to meet our needs and calm those who were very emotional. If you have any questions please ask…
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There is an account of this occurrence in the Newswire section. It indicates the train traveled 600 feet after the accident BEFORE derailing at a switch. Is that correct? I know that an emergency brake application will occasionally derail a freight, but (I guess I assumed) passenger trains had tighter couplers and shorter lengths that precluded this problem.
It sounds like the crew were on their “A” game that day.
I must confess that things happened so fast I can’t tell you when the derailment actually happened. I can say there seemed to be 3 separate “jerks” before we came to a complete stop. No question that the crew were on their “A” game, they were beyond doubt excellent!
If the collision knocked a wheel or truck off the rail and onto the ties the the switch would throw it off the tracks and upset the car and others behind it.
While investigating derailing accidents that involved only the train I have back tracked the tie damage where one truck of a freight train was off the rails of for several miles before a switch turned in into a huge accident.
I rode the same train last January. And like you I rode up front so I could see the track, which was possible
I would like to believe that all the train crews on Amtrak met this same standard!
And in other cases where the derailed car came into contact with a switch and rerailed itself. Once a wheel on a moving train hits the ground, all bets are off as to what the final outcome will be.