Derailment of Cascades #501, DuPont WA, 2017-12-18

[Karl1459]

It appears that Cascades 501 derailed with cars off the overpass. This is on or just south of the new bypass. Too soon for reports of injuries. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/train-derails-from-bridge-onto-interstate-5-near-olympia/

 

[Bierboy]

Described as a "mass casualty" incident...could be bad...more pics in the link below --

http://komonews.com/news/local/derailed-train-falls-off-bridge-onto-i-5-lanes-south-of-tacoma

 

[Ngotwalt]

I don't think this train was supposed to be where it was. I think it was to go around a sweeping right hand curve just north of there, but someone left a switch open. Train was on correct alignment, using Google Earth I found a different bridge with similar topography and graffiti, but it was the wrong location.

Nick

 

[Bierboy]

AP now saying "injuries and casualties"....looking worse by the minute. And the local residents were NOT happy about the re-routing so Amtrak could utilize speeds up to 79 mph http://komonews.com/news/local/lakewood-mayor-predicts-deadly-accidents-from-high-speed-train-service

 

[printman2000]

Is the locomotive they are showing 181 the lead or trailing unit?

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[crescent-zephyr]

Did they ever test talgo equipment on this line?

The Talgo cars are built quite different and wondering if that could have caused this.

Either way, this looks like a seriously tragic accident, and I just hope that somehow the cars that fell were not full of passengers.

 

[Bierboy]

KIRO now reporting fatalities...

And the local Fox affiliate has some video of passenger cars on top of each other...

http://q13fox.com/2017/12/18/train-derails-above-i-5-sb-lanes-shut-down-near-dupont/

 

[saxman]

AP now saying "injuries and casualties"....looking worse by the minute. And the local residents were NOT happy about the re-routing so Amtrak could utilize speeds up to 79 mph http://komonews.com/news/local/lakewood-mayor-predicts-deadly-accidents-from-high-speed-train-service

Looks like Lakewood residents will be screaming even louder, however this wasn't due to a trespasser.

 

[lo2e]

Is the locomotive they are showing 181 the lead or trailing unit?

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I believe trailing - 501 is a southbound train, and 181 was on the northern end of the train.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Rail cars on the ground on both side of the track. The forces involved to make the train split and then have the lead cars land on the inside of the curve and the rest of the train side (fly) to the outside of the curve.

Would think the locomore picture is lead.

Report multiple rail authority types on board. Hopefully no riders in the cab.

 

[frequentflyer]

There is picture of a Talgo car upside on the freeway, the roof is collapsed. Not good,

.

 

[printman2000]

Rail cars on the ground on both side of the track. The forces involved to make the train split and then have the lead cars land on the inside of the curve and the rest of the train side (fly) to the outside of the curve.

Would think the locomore picture is lead, otherwise the laws of physics do not apply.

I think it is trailing. Based on new pics of one car upside down on freeway and angled car on top of it.

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[saxman]

Rail cars on the ground on both side of the track. The forces involved to make the train split and then have the lead cars land on the inside of the curve and the rest of the train side (fly) to the outside of the curve.

Would think the locomore picture is lead.

One picture I see has at least one of those cars landing upside-down. That doesn't look very survivable.

 

[Bierboy]

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Yes it going to be a bad one. Anyone know the forces required to break apart a Talgo trainset?

 

[printman2000]

If 181 was trailing, then that means the train was in push mode, correct?

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[frequentflyer]

The first pic............We hope for the best.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/us/amtrak-derails-washington-latest/index.html

There was a local newscaster who was just on that train reporting on the new service and is shaken up as he got to know the pax and enjoyed the trip.

Someone on twitter stated they hit a truck, do not think that is true, is there a crossing in the area?

 

[Blackwolf]

With this being the inaugural run on the new route, I'm reading reports that there were a lot of elected officials and transit managers who were on board.

 

[jis]

Some injuries but no fatalities among Interstate vehicles being reported now too.

There are now fatalities being reported on the train.

There were 83 people on board (78 passengers 5 crew). Full capacity is 250 or so.

 

[Ngotwalt]

I have heard people say there was a charger leading, and that its somewhere on the other side of the bridge.

Nick

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Based on the road closures and satellite views of the route, it appears the incident occurred at the southern end of the new routing just before it merges in with the old route (which likely will be the active route again until the wreck area is cleaned up and repaired).

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[frequentflyer]

Can someone post a google map of the location? Someone stated the train was doing 81mph but the trestle is in a sharp S curve.

 

[niemi24s]

As near as I can tell, this is the scene of the accident:

 

[frequentflyer]

Seattle Times state 3 people dead.

 

[frequentflyer]

As near as I can tell, this is the scene of the accident:

Scene.jpg

Oh crap...........79 mph at that curve?