Passenger Trains > Amtrak #91 collison, possible sideswipe w CSX, Columbia, SC

approx 230 am EST. Train 91. Prelim..CSX freight train involved, possible vehicle also...

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/south-carolina-amtrak-train-crash-11967695?service=responsive

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/914212/South-Carolina-train-crash-Many-feared-dead-after-Amtrak-train-carriage-derails



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/18 02:35 by pdt.

OK, UK news apparently did not get the news? No info was there, so would it be to difficult to post a little info yourself? Or maybe it is my typical luck at using the internet to find out what is going on?
Please fill us in on the facts if they actually known.
Thank you, Steve Rippeteau

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/04/amtrak-csx-trains-collide-in-south-carolina-injuries-reported.html

two killed, engine and several cars off track

Amtrak Train 91 Derailment
February 4, 2018
Amtrak Train 91, operating between New York and Miami, came
in contact with a CSX freight train at around 2:35 am in Cayce, South Carolina.
The lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars. There were 8 crew
members and approximately 139 passengers, with injuries reported. People who
have questions about passengers on the train can contact us at 800-523-9101.
Local authorities are on the scene responding. More information will be
provided as available.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/18 03:28 by PennPlat.

2 dead, 50 injured, as of preliminary report. Cayce, SC., vicinity near Columbia, SC. The lead Amtrak locomotive derailed followed by some passenger cars, then apparently came in contact with the CSX.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/18 03:16 by norm1153.

Sad, Sad, Sad, and more ammunition for the politicians to try to eliminate Amtrak as there are those who feel that train travel is so unsafe and with these last two accidents, they will be even more convinced to vote against funding Amtrak. This is a blow for all who enjoy train travel. My condolences to the family's who have lost love ones, may those deceased folks rest in peace, Amen.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

According to ABC news, ( http://abcnews.go.com/US/amtrak-passenger-train-collides-freight-train-sc-injuries/story?id=52826058 ) 2 dead and 70 injuries. My sincere condolences.
John

Don't forget, the media and others will say that this is an indictment of Precision Scheduled Railroading and all the "cost cuts" at CSX.

No facts yet, just getting light out, area looks to be a siding with auto racks. Highway over tracks in area.

Google view of area - https://www.google.com/maps/place/State+Rd+S-32-103+%26+Pine+Ridge+Dr+%26+US-321,+West+Columbia,+SC+29172/@33.9099907,-81.0669549,63m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88f8b951102d6a09:0x4d1faaec0b5c2e23!8m2!3d33.9101707!4d-81.0680174?hl=en-U

SCEMD confirms that two people are confirmed dead and more than 70 people have been taken to the hospital in a train collision and derailment that happened near Charleston Highway and Pine Ridge Road around 2:45 a.m.

The collision was between an Amtrak passenger train and a CSX freight train on the tracks. NTSB is investigating the crash.

Lexington Co. emergency officials are on the scene of the train crash and derailment in Cayce early Sunday morning. Pine Ridge Drive is currently blocked as a part of the investigation and officials ask people to stay away from the area during this time.

I think that bridge in the background is I 26. When you go over it there’s a yard full of auto racks next to the single track main line you can see from the interstate.

CNN interviewed NTSB - Mary Schiavo a few minutes ago

- Passenger train was probably 10 cars
- Hearing reports of a sideswipe, thought that very unlikely
- If the train was going 55MPH, it takes a mile to stop
- Then goes into PTC lecture mode and how non-compliant CSX is with their 16,000 miles of track.

I do wish the baggage car ran in front, that's where the damage was.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/18 04:54 by joemvcnj.

The picture makes it look like this was a head-on collision. Any more information?

After seeing a picture posted, it looks like a bad side swipe as there is nothing left of the lead CSX loco. A question for those that know the area. Was the AmTrak on single track?

Steve H.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/18 05:41 by hartrick24.

Looks like right side of 47.

hartrick24 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After seeing a picture posted, it looks like a bad
> side swipe as there is nothing left of the lead
> CSX loco. A question for those that now the area.
> Was the AmTrak on single track?
>
> Steve H.

From the Maps Google link, single track doesn't start until about 2 miles S of crash site. 3 - 2 -1 .

Location from Google Earth.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/18 05:59 by CGTower.

---

Something similar happened to 92 at Camden, which is about 50 miles north of this accident, in 1991. 7 killed, 125 injured, sideswiped a coal train, IIRC. The cause was a picked switch.

I was supposed to board that 1991 train at Rocky Mount!

F40PHR231 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Front end of both trains look nasty. Heart goes
> out to all involved.

CSX train was Q211-01

Damage certainly looks like side swipe ...after...a head on impact. Photos certainly indicate a speed greater than "restricted speed"

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CNN interviewed NTSB - Mary Schiavo a few minutes
> ago
>
> - Passenger train was probably 10 cars
> - Hearing reports of a sideswipe, thought that
> very unlikely
> - If the train was going 55MPH, it takes a mile to
> stop
> - Then goes into PTC lecture mode and how
> non-compliant CSX is with their 16,000 miles of
> track.
>
> I do wish the baggage car ran in front, that's
> where the damage

Mary Schiavo is not a member of the NTSB, nor does she speak for the Board. She is a gadfly and all-purpose talking head. Former FAA administrator during the Clinton years.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

Amtrak can no longer be considered a safe form of travel. I will drive or use airplanes from now on, and will be writing my representatives, urging them to withhold Amtrak funding if the railroad cannot operate safely.