Passenger Trains > Amtrak Cascades Derails onto I-5

An Amtrak Cascades on the new Point Defiance Bypass route has derailed and passenger cars have fallen to I-5 below...trying to get a pic to post. This is near Nisqually - just north of the Thurston County line. This is southbound train 501.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/17 08:39 by amtrak8.

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Wow. Pretty new as news stations just beginning to break. This station has yet to ID it as a passenger train stating it is not known what cargo the train was carrying. http://komonews.com/news/local/derailed-train-falls-off-bridge-onto-i-5-lanes-south-of-tacoma

oh no this is train 501 hope TAW isn't on it. See how these talgos perform, so much new equipment going to the scrap yard. reporting casulties-hope that is wrong

https://twitter.com/KIRO7Seattle/status/942788867270127621/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiro7.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Ftrain-derails-onto-i-5-in-pierce-county-all-lanes-blocked%2F665619813

3 more pics

most ideal place for sabatours hope this isn't the case



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/17 08:53 by dan.

Ruh roh. Talgos everywhere. Hope the crew, pax, and motorists involved are okay. Reroutes back to the Point Defiance line?

Looking at the images some passerby took, it looks like one on the new Charger units is on the ground below the bridge. Not good!

Valleyman

Seattle Times reporting it is Amtrak 501.

So far I am hearing 10 people being transported to Madigan Army Medical Center and the trauma hospital in Tacoma. Train 501 was being pulled by Charger 1402.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/17 08:22 by amtrak8.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-derails-in-washington-state-blocks-interstate-5.html

And now the anti-rail types in Tacoma will say...........I told you so. This is one BAD DAY for rail in Washington State!

Ed

Looking at a map, I don't think this train was supposed to be where it was. This line is a divergence from the Point Defiance bypass. I think someone threw a switch.
Nick

Was watching it on transitdocs when it happened. Was going 81.6 mph just prior to the derailment site crossing I-5, Don't know the specifics of the bypass yet but looking at google maps is that curve good for that speed? Looks rather sharp. Of course it's been moved off train tracker now, I know the talgos can take curves at higher speeds but what about the engines?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/17 08:31 by SunsetLtd.

NGotwalt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looking at a map, I don't think this train was
> supposed to be where it was. This line is a
> divergence from the Point Defiance bypass. I think
> someone threw a switch.
> Nick

The train is on the correct alignment.

Unless I'm mistaken this would be the FIRST revenue run via the by-pass. There is an S-curve and no doubt a speed restriction over the bridge.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

501 is southbound.

I'm not so sure, I can't help but think this was some kind of act of sabotage. First day, first southbound train hits an open switch and gets sent down a poorly maintained branch or short line...no...this feels like it could be deliberate. I'm not saying it is, but I'm saying it feels like its a possibility.

Nick

Auburn_Ed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And now the anti-rail types in Tacoma will
> say...........I told you so. This is one BAD DAY
> for rail in Washington State!
>
> Ed

Here's the location of the derailment. Train was traveling right to left, and I assume it's blocking the southbound lanes of I-5.

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stanhunter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 501 is southbound.


Thanks, I fixed - meant south but typed the wrong.

Thoughts of well-being to all involved!

anyone have any idea of what the graffitti on the bridge means??? "Cabrat Rnath" - seems odd a just-in-service line would be allowed to have graffitti on it.

This kind of speculation is not helpful. Please wait until the professional investigators make a statement.

NGotwalt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm not so sure, I can't help but think this was
> some kind of act of sabotage. First day, first
> southbound train hits an open switch and gets sent
> down a poorly maintained branch or short
> line...no...this feels like it could be
> deliberate. I'm not saying it is, but I'm saying
> it feels like its a possibility.
>
> Nick
>
> Auburn_Ed Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > And now the anti-rail types in Tacoma will
> > say...........I told you so. This is one BAD
> DAY
> > for rail in Washington State!
> >
> > Ed

PennPlat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-
> derails-in-washington-state-blocks-interstate-5.ht
> ml

Comments on the story on this website are pretty disgusting.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/17 08:48 by newtonville150.

Screenshot from transitdocs of the exact location of 501 from GPS.

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