Silver Star incident near Lakeland (1/18/22)

[AFB123]

Hour and a half delay leaving Tampa because of both signal and engine issues, according to our sleeper attendant.

Now we’re stopped 8 miles short of Lakeland with all engines off. No power or HVAC, only lights working.

 

[jis]

Losing 4 engines at the same time has to be a new record, if that is the case of course

 

[AFB123]

Pretty sure I overhead a crew walkie talkie comment that there was a problem with two of them.

Uh oh. Every emergency vehicle in the county just roared by on the highway next the right-of-way and slowed to a stop near the front of the train.

Now attendant tells us we hit a cow.

 

[jis]

That could be a problem. They can really foul up the running gear if they get under the engine somehow.

 

[AFB123]

Firefghters and cops just passed with flashlights pointed at ground walking from front toward back. We’re in 9214, just ahead of the baggage car.

Deceleration when they hit the brakes was rapid enough it was making the door in the unoccupied roomette across from us slam open and closed.

 

[AFB123]

Hillsborough firefighters now on the train asking after passenger health.

 

[AFB123]

Choppers overhead, I assume TV news.

 

[jis]

Moderator's Notes: The posts above moved to this new thread from the Amtrak Cancellations thread, since these are not about Amtrak cancellations, but are about an incident on a specific run of the Silver Star. These came from the thread:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/amtrak-cancellations-dec-2021-1q2022.80655/page-10
Please post any further information about this incident here. Thanks,

 

[AFB123]

I’m taking this moderator move as an encouraging sign we won’t be canceled, just delayed some more.

Train horn has blown multiple times in last few minutes, for whatever that means.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

I am not sure a Administrator moving a topic is a sign that you will arrive by train to your destination.

 

[AFB123]

I am not sure a Administrator moving a topic is a sign that you will arrive by train to your destination.

Oh sure, shatter my hope.

 

[MARC Rider]

Now attendant tells us we hit a cow.

Maybe they'll serve steak for dinner in the dining car. Or at least fresh hamburgers.

 

[AFB123]

Maybe they'll serve steak for dinner in the dining car. Or at least fresh hamburgers.

Already joked to the attendant we’d have fresh meat for tomorrow’s short ribs. Sent him into convulsions.

 

[AFB123]

HVAC & A/C power restored, after a big bump a few minutes ago that I guessed was a switch of an engine or two.

No forward movement yet though.

 

[Seaboard92]

Keep us posted. I might go out to see your train in the morning as I just happen to be home.

 

[AFB123]

Power and HVAC off again.

…. and then back.

 

[AFB123]

Keep us posted. I might go out to see your train in the morning as I just happen to be home.

Bring wine. We’re drinking some reasonably-priced Masciarelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo.

 

[AFB123]

On our way.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

If you can please report your number of locomotives and there individually numbers.

 

[Seaboard92]

I'll try and get out to see it in the morning. Looks like it'll be around eight AM and I have to drop off my dry cleaning anyway by nine.

 

[John819]

Already joked to the attendant we’d have fresh meat for tomorrow’s short ribs. Sent him into convulsions.

But you can be sure the rancher is going to sue Amtrak!

 

[frequentflyer]

CSX would not pay the rancher, would not expect Amtrak too.

If I had hit the cow and tore up my car the rancher better hope I don't sue him.

 

[Qapla]

Do we know the train actually hit a cow?

 

[TrackWalker]

But you can be sure the rancher is going to sue Amtrak!

For some unknown reason trains only hit farmers "prized" cows.

 

[Seaboard92]

Four Locomotives (3 P42DCs, 1 P40DC), Five Coaches, One Lounge, One Diner, Five Sleepers (Only one Viewliner I Car as 9211), and a baggage car.