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Passenger Trains > New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed


Date: 02/04/25 17:01
New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: RailDawg

Also posted this on the Western Railroad forum it seemed appropriate there too. 

Out at MP 318.61 on the UPRR Overland is the Hwy 95 crossing some 30 miles north of Fallon, NV.  

It's where on June 24, 2011 an empty northbound gravel truck slammed into the side of westbound Amtrak #5. 

There are many tributes to the crash on a small mound of sand near the tracks.  The original memorial put up right afterwards has faded in the intense Nevada sun.  

A local artist named Jennifer made up a new memorial and just the two of us got it installed last week. 

The photos should speak for themselves. 

It's been a project that needed to be done and now it's done.  

Thanks everyone. 

Chuck 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/25 21:11 by RailDawg.








Date: 02/04/25 17:02
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: RailDawg

From the crossing.

Chuck




Date: 02/04/25 19:57
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: IC_2024

Thank you, Chuck and artist Jennifer for this heartfelt memorial. I’ll never forget that day when I got the call from a fellow engr: “Laurette was in a bad crossing accident on #5, she didn’t make it!” My eyes filled with tears — she was one of the first to befriend me when I arrived in Oakland in November ‘88 and was like my RR mom. To this day, she is missed greatly and always remembered dearly. To the others who lost their lives, you’re not forgotten. God knows the pain of your surviving family and friends and will never abandon you…



Date: 02/04/25 20:01
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: ProAmtrak

Nice, btw no. 5 was westbound, not eastbound!



Date: 02/04/25 21:12
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: RailDawg

Good catch ProAmtrak fixed the mistake in original post.  

Thanks!

Chuck



Date: 02/04/25 23:00
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: RailDawg

Would like to hear some more stories about Laurette Lee the conductor. 

She was loved by countless folks!

Also any stories relating to this terrible accident so far out in the middle of nowhere.  

Please spread the word to those on the California Zephyr about this new memorial.  

It's appreciated!

Chuck



Date: 02/05/25 19:25
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: ProAmtrak

RailDawg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Good catch ProAmtrak fixed the mistake in original
> post.  
>
> Thanks!
>
> Chuck

You're welcome, that really sucked what happened to no. 5!

Posted from Android



Date: 02/05/25 20:39
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: RailDawg

People out these parts still talk about the crash.  Would imagine the Amtrak and UPRR crews do the same occasionally.  

What was gut-wrenching was the amount of time it took to get the needed amount of help to the scene.  

It happened in the 40-mile desert and there were so many serious injuries along with the fatal ones.  

Lots of unsung heroes that day.  

Chuck 



Date: 02/06/25 14:15
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: chakk

ProAmtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RailDawg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Good catch ProAmtrak fixed the mistake in
> original
> > post.  
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Chuck
>
> You're welcome, that really sucked what happened
> to no. 5!
>
> Posted from Android


I rode that train many, many times when I lived in California and was traveling to/from Colorado, and recalled riding with 
the conductor who perished many times.  She worked the route from Reno to Winnemucca on #6 and return the next day.
to Reno on #5.

Hakk



Date: 02/08/25 08:27
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: brc600

There was a mother-daughter duo from Seward, Nebraska (NW of Lincoln). I am in Omaha, so it is a local connection. 

RailDawg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Would like to hear some more stories about
> Laurette Lee the conductor. 
>
> She was loved by countless folks!
>
> Also any stories relating to this terrible
> accident so far out in the middle of nowhere.  
>
> Please spread the word to those on the California
> Zephyr about this new memorial.  
>
> It's appreciated!
>
> Chuck



Date: 02/08/25 10:23
Re: New Amtrak #5 accident Memorial installed
Author: RailDawg

It appears the White Line Fever got to the truck driver unfortunately.  

There's a big sweeping curve as you approach the crossing northbound. 

As you round that curve an approaching westbound Amtrak #5 doesn't appear to be moving in the windshield. If you're in the Fever it's a recipe for disaster.  

The truck driver it appears snapped out of it and there were 300 feet of heavy skid marks prior to impact.  

A tragedy out in the middle of nowhere.  

Chuck 
 



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