BNSF Derails Near L.A., 4-9-09

[WhoozOn1st]

There will be a thorough trip report, but I wanted to post these timely photos right away.

Me and pal Joe were heading from Oxnard to San Diego aboard Pacific Surfliner 768 to attend a Dodgers/Padres day game.

Upon departing LAX at 10:12 a.m. - 32 minutes late - a P.A. announcement informed passengers that the reason for delay was a freight derailment. Slow running (crawling, really) set in almost immediately, along with several major waits. Further announcements were apologetic, and following a 30-minute wait south of the Norwalk Metrolink station (before Fullerton) we were told that we would shortly see the source of frustration on the right side of the train as we passed by under a 10 mph speed restriction. We were seated on the right side, and I was ready. In retrospect I shoulda done a video clip, but oh well. Picasa pics:

BNSF Derailment & Plunge, 4-9-09

 

[henryj]

Interesting pics. Thanks for posting those. Looks like it split a switch on the bridge.

 

[Long Train Runnin']

Thanks for sharing those. Man thats gotta be such a headache getting everything cleaned up and fixing the damage to the bridges.

 

[saxman]

Wow, nice shots. Any idea how that happened?

 

[Long Train Runnin']

Wow, nice shots. Any idea how that happened?

Someone left a penny on the tracks :lol: :lol:

 

[WhoozOn1st]

Item in today's L.A. Times:

Railroad tanker cars derail in yard

 

[PetalumaLoco]

I guess that tanker of potassium hydroxide was empty, or deemed safe on its side. :blink:

 

[sportbiker]

I want to know how you arranged for such an accident to take place. You set this up in advance so you could "coincidentally" be on a passing Surfliner, camera at the ready (and admitting that you were the only one with a camera), so you could take these great pictures.

Clearly, you're a terrorist. I'm afraid you'll have to come with me.

Amtrak Special Agent Pat

 

[George Harris]

Damage to bridge appears to be limited to walkway portion. Not sure about the split switch cause based on where the switch points are that show up in the pictures.

 

[tp49]

The main question though is did you make it to the game? Considering how the Dodgers did yesterday (I watched the game on television) the derailment was probably the most interesting thing you saw.

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Just before packing and leaving for the LAX Airport I saw the KTLA news report on the derailment. According to them only 4 cars were on the ground and the only spill was Alcohol. Patrick your report was much better

Mahalo

 

[WhoozOn1st]

The main question though is did you make it to the game? Considering how the Dodgers did yesterday (I watched the game on television) the derailment was probably the most interesting thing you saw.

That stuff's for the overall trip report, which is COMING SOON!

 

[Rumpled]

I was on an earlier Surfliner starting from Irvine that day; going to the same game. Ours (sorry, forget #) was late and was apparently a Northbound turned around and headed back south. We took on Metrolink passengers and made all stops, including two in San Clemente.

You musta made it late to the Pad's game.

We had also planned on going to the Angels' game that night; but it was postponed. I call it the Great Train Wreck; we do the day/night doubleheader by rail and get wrecked on the way.