California Zephyr #5 Derails in Colorado

[PRR 60]

The westbound California Zephyr derailed in western Colorado Tuesday evening after hitting a boulder. Only minor injuries, but the line is blocked further disrupting the already chaotic operation of #5 and #6.

From KUTV (Salt Lake City):

MACK, Colo. (AP) An Amtrak train carrying more than 100 people derailed near the Utah-Colorado line after running into a pickup-sized boulder, authorities said Wednesday. Six people were injured, none seriously.

See the full story here.

 

[Guest_Carolg]

I'm not booked to travel on the Zephyr until early April, but all these messages are making me real nervous about travelling on Amtrak.

Last time I made the trip, the Zephyr was hit by the boulder in just outside Salt Lake City and we were delayed about 3 hours. Perhaps this will be my last long-distance train trip.

Carolg

 

[Guest]

I am taking the Zephyr on Friday but luckily I am going TO Chicago and we wont be going through any mountains. Still I am a little worried...how easily can a train be derailed??

 

[steve_relei]

DOn't be afraid to ride trains just because of a few incidents. At least on a train you are on the ground. Since trains are ground transportation, they are subject to weather and other landform conditions as are cars, buses and trucks. Keep in mind, things happen at the airport and on planes. Airports get snowed in, planes cannot takeoff and/or flights are cancelled or delayed.On a ship at sea, there are icebergs! At least if the train is delayed, you are more comfortable, you can get up and walk around, get a snack or meal. If you are in a sleeper, you can go to bed and take a nap. Remember, it's MOther Nature that rules, and actually that is part of the intrigue of traveling (on any conveyance).

 

[Conrail]

train are hard to derail but my dad some stuff can do it

 

[PRR 60]

On a ship at sea, there are icebergs!

You just won't let that Titianic incident go! Quite amuzing!

You gave me my best laugh of the evening (except for watching the Seinfeld DVD's my daughter got me for Christmas).

 

[tp49]

I was listening to KCBS this evening and heard a story about some people who came into EMY today that were on the train that derailed some 20 hours late which honestly is not so bad considering the residual effects of the weather conditions.

However,

California Zephyr Service Temporarily Suspended West of Denver
Due to a series of weather-related service impacts in the Rocky and Sierra mountain ranges along the route of the California Zephyr, Amtrak has temporarily suspended operation of the California Zephyr west of Denver, through at least January 20. During the service suspension, the California Zephyr will operate between Chicago and Denver only.

The rest of the announcement regarding 5 and 6 as well as the Surfliners and Starlite can be found here at Amtrak.com

Trains will only run as far as Denver until at least January 20.

 

[AMTRAK-P42]

Any info on the pony's involved?

 

[battalion51]

All I can say is, always better safe than sorry.

 

[tp49]

Any info on the pony's involved?

99, 31 and 195. 99 was the lead.

 

[Viewliner]

Courtesy of Gene Poon through the Yahoo Amtrak Group:

Consist of California Zephyr, Train 5(10JAN), derailed west of Grand

Jct., CO. on 11JAN05:

99* P42

31* P42

195* P42

1246* Baggage

39032* Transition Dorm

32013* Sleeping Car 0532

32075* Sleeping Car 0531

38000 Dining Car

33033 Lounge

34077 Coach 0510

34090 Coach 0511

31509 Coach 0512

*derailed

 

[Steve4031]

The last thing Amtrak needs is more damanged equipment.

 

[GG-1]

32075*  Sleeping Car 0531*derailed

0531 was my car Hope the attendant Joan is OK she was one of the greatest car attendent i've had.

Mahalo

 

[battalion51]

One interesting thing to note is that the 31 is ITCS fitted, and usually does not see any action on the Intercity trains. I'd be interested to know why it made its way on to the CZ.

 

[Steve4031]

One interesting thing to note is that the 31 is ITCS fitted, and usually does not see any action on the Intercity trains. I'd be interested to know why it made its way on to the CZ.

What does this mean? ITCS. Thanks.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

The technology is known as Incremental Train Control System (ITCS)

You can find a short article about it HERE: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-..._2002_1,00.html

I did a google search on "ITCS railroad locomotive", and found a number of articles about it. Among other things, it is an information communication system with an in-cab screen, and allows the train to communicate with upcoming crossings and confirm that the gates are operating properly, providing a uniform pre-crossing gate-closing time regardless of the speed of the train. (A good trick, if you think about it) It does a lot more than that, though. You could do that google search and read some of the articles yourself. Interesting technology.