Passenger Trains > amtrak 188 Philadelphia Wreck - First Coach

Does anyone know how many people were in the first coach and if any of them survived?

From the photos, it is hard to imagine any survivors from the first car.

Also, is there any info on the distribution of fatalities/serious injuries throughout the train?

Thanks,
- wzd

From the reports I've read, the conductor, now suing Amtrak was in the restroom of the first car!
One of the eight critically injured, with a broken back, broken neck and other injuries.
Being in the confined space of the restroom probably saved his life!

Mike

I've seen conflicting reports about where the deceased victims were seated. Anybody know for sure?  But I did read that few people in the last four cars were injured.

i heard a number of 14 for one car but i can't say it was the first car or not

Posted from Android

The first car looks worse in some photos because I believe it was opened up to look for bodies.  In the initial photos it appears to have gotten bent around something. Anyone know what it hit?

We are told a catenary post. It;s kind of like if you've ever seen a car hit a large tree at high speed and wrap around it....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/15 05:52 by wabash2800.

That's one problem when both the rolling stock and the physical plant are both of robust construction. :-\

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are told a catenary post. It;s kind of like if
> you've ever seen a car hit a large tree at high
> speed and wrap around it....

I live is a rural area where cars leaving the pavement and hitting trees from the side is too common.  Result is almost the always the same, some times with the car ending up in two pieces. Don't know how you would design something for that impact.  The crush zones are to the front??

Bob

robj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live is a rural area where cars leaving the
> pavement and hitting trees from the side is too
> common.  Result is almost the always the same,
> some times with the car ending up in two pieces.
> Don't know how you would design something for that
> impact.  The crush zones are to the front??
>
> Bob

Side impact collision standards for cars have been controversial over the years. The feds have standards, and have occasionally tightened them.  But that adds weight to the side of the vehicle.

FWIW, Audi and Mercedes both have campaigns touting their enhanced side impact collision protection.  If you live in a place like NJ, where red lights and stop signs are optional for a % of the population, these things matter a lot.

mbrotzman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's one problem when both the rolling stock and
> the physical plant are both of robust
> construction. :-\
>
> wabash2800 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > We are told a catenary post. It;s kind of like
> if
> > you've ever seen a car hit a large tree at high
> > speed and wrap around it....

One diagram I saw had it bent and then pushed aside by the front of the second car as the momentum of the collision unfolded. I imagine the NTSB will figure it out.

Add Florida to the list.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:

> FWIW, Audi and Mercedes both have campaigns
> touting their enhanced side impact collision
> protection.  If you live in a place like NJ,
> where red lights and stop signs are optional for a
> % of the population, these things matter a lot.