Empire Builder accident (9/25/21)

[user 14106]

Apparently a major accident near Shelby. Pending details.

 

[sitzplatz17]

Was just at the Edmonds, WA station and heard (and saw on twitter as well) that the Empire Builder seems to have had a pretty bad derailment in MT. Will try and post more as I hear more.
Really hoping everyone is ok but the sightseer lounge looks like it’s on its side.

 

[Bruce Williams]

7(24) is stopped showing service disruption near Joplin, Mt.

 

[desertflyer]

Pretty concerning pictures from Twitter. Sightseer is on its side, and it looks like at least one other car as well.

 

[Acela150]

I am SAFE in Seattle as of 1030 this morning.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

 

[TinCan782]

https://www.kxly.com/amtrak-train-derailed-in-montana/pic/2933217/

 

[87YJ]

Sad to hear.

 

[frequentflyer]

Tight lock couplers worked somewhat, there would be a sleeper and Coach behind that lounge. The separate car on its side is concerning. Hope injuries are kept to a minimum.

 

[tim49424]

I’m hearing at least five fatalities and many injured.

 

[Cal]

I’m hearing at least five fatalities and many injured.

Oh god... I didn't think there would be any deaths.

I am SAFE in Seattle as of 1030 this morning.

Good to know you weren't on the train.

 

[tim49424]

Oh god... I didn't think there would be any deaths.

I was hoping not but from the pictures, I feared the worst.

 

[Cal]

I’m hearing at least five fatalities and many injured.

Source?

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Are those the 2 sleepers turned on side seperate from the rest of the consist?

 

[DaveW]

The pictures in article from Daily Mail looks like in process of replacing rotten wood ties.

Daily Mail article

 

[Cal]

Are those the 2 sleepers turned on side seperate from the rest of the consist?

Sure looks like it, from the pictures this is what it looks like to me:

Portland section all turned on it's side, with the cars behind the SSL (ONe sleeper and one or two coaches, looks like one) disconnected from the rest of the train.

 

[tim49424]

Source?

Buddy of mine who is a conductor on the Empire Builder in the St. Cloud crew.

 

[frequentflyer]

That explains the where the Portland section was, should be behind the Lounge. Tight lock couplers are super strong but cannot overcome physics.

Really, really, really, really hoping the five fatalities is a bad rumor.

 

[Cal]

Buddy of mine who is a conductor on the Empire Builder in the St. Cloud crew.

Thanks

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Also appears to be at a switch... perhaps one of the cars picked the switch at speed... looks like back trucks of diner are on the ground.

Very sad.

 

[frequentflyer]

7(24) is stopped showing service disruption near Joplin, Mt.

Amtrak has removed the train from the tracking website.

 

[Cal]

Also appears to be at a switch... perhaps one of the cars picked the switch at speed... looks like back trucks of diner are on the ground.

Very sad.

I wonder what happened in the diner during it! Always been curious to see how much stuff would spill/fall and break, and how they would clean it up afterwards. Well, I guess they would be evacuating in this instance.

 

[Cal]

Amtrak has removed the train from the tracking website.

I saw that on Amtrak/Via live map.

 

[Cal]

And on a different note, there goes another SSL that will be out of service.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I wonder what happened in the diner during it! Always been curious to see how much stuff would spill/fall and break, and how they would clean it up afterwards. Well, I guess they would be evacuating in this instance.

This is the exact reason that all Amtrak diners and lounge cars have to have booth seating or chairs bolted to ground. Also why the coffee makers have to be installed.

Still, those cars wouldn’t fall gently.

Very sad.