posted
I just heard a radio report that an Amtrak train has de-railed in Maryland. They didn't say which train.
Posts: 57 | From: Huntersville, NC USA | Registered: Nov 2001
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Additional news: This was apparently the Capitol Limited from Chicago to DC. Six cars de-railed in Kensington Md. No fatalities but some are injured.
Posts: 57 | From: Huntersville, NC USA | Registered: Nov 2001
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No casualties so far. P42 #154 is lead unit, still on tracks. The 6 cars went off the rails, one down the embankment. This is very similar to the Auto Train derailment that happened not too long ago.
Could be sun kink, could be CSX tracks, could be anything at this time.
~Chris
Posts: 82 | From: Irvine, CA | Registered: Feb 2002
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The two units stayed on the track (154 on the point), but the baggage car and Superliners were off the track. Mail and express cars stayed upright off the track. NTSB is talking about sun kinks again, so we'll see what happens. Thank goodness no one was killed, and it looks like there will be more Superliners at the Grove. Amtrak has $200M to play with right now, and hopefully some of that will get those cars out of the shops...
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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deariled Superliners: 39029, 32046, 32096 Nevada, 38023, 33045, 31537, 34018, 34053. Bad news as this is equipment they cannot afford to lose. Being near DC will make it especially notable and may increase cries about rail safety. How that can be fixed, I don't know as it is up to CSX, et al. This may be death to the Sunset if Amtrak is indeed short on Superliners.
Posts: 52 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sunset as it uses Superliners. The Cardinal no longer does. I hope that doesn't happen as it would kill service where I live but that is what I fear they will do.
Hint to Amtrak management: cut 1 sleeper from a couple popular western trains then raise the room charge to $2000 CHI-LAX. People will pay it and nobody seems concerned about price gouging. (Sorry for the sarcasm but the sleeper prices are totally out of hand.)
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The Sunset does seem to be the most threatened train. Unfortunately, any temporary supension of service risks becoming permanent so Amtrak needs to keep this and all other routes in operation until its financial future is resolved.
------------------ USA by Rail www.usa-by-rail.com (Bradt Publications ISBN 1 84162 032 7)
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Does anybody happen to know #29s engines of the train that left WAS on the 29th? Were the engines still 154 and 74? Or will 29s engines today be 154 and 74?
Posts: 24 | From: Cleveland, Ohio | Registered: Jul 2002
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I saw that. I took The Capitol Limited two years ago. I actually think it's one of Amtrak's best trains. I heard that this is really going to put a strain on Amtrak's long distance superliners. Posts: 16 | From: Richmond, Virginia-USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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I don't think they'll cut the Sunset. Amtrak figured out a few years ago that if they cut it they would lose more money from connecting passenger revenue than they would save from the cut. My guess is that a coach will be taken from this train, a sleeper from that one, etc.
But I'll bet David Gunn will find a way to get something repaired and back on the tracks to replace these cars. He's no GW.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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The immediate solution is this: Wednesday's # 51 (westbound Cardinal) is annulled with no alternate transportation. Its equipment goes out as the Capitol. That means 1 set will be single level at least this trip.
My only concern is that when trains are annulled, Amtrak now often provides no alternate transportation option. I hate busses but imagine having a big trip messed up because the train isn't running. If you have time off work and hotels reserved along the way, that can really throw you off.
Today's updated Wash. Post says the sleepers will have to be scrapped. That is horrible news!
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Judging by the articles published in late June (during the most recent cash crunch), the risk to cutting service is also that Amtrak would then lose critically-needed votes from senators if that happened.
Would we likely see shorter versions of existing trains rather than elimination of any particular train?
Posts: 874 | From: South Bay (LA County), Calif, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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Two items in the Washington Post article, cited by Eric, stood out to me.
1. "At Kensington, two sleepers, two coaches and a crew dormitory car were damaged but can be repaired. "
As I understand it sleepers are what is in the shortest supply. That the train's sleepers are repairable is a sign of hope.
2. "Gunn said that, coincidentally, he was holding a meeting with his top officials on what to do about the equipment shortage when word came of yesterday's wreck. He said he ordered his chief mechanical officer to begin repairing dozens of wrecked cars as soon as possible rather than waiting for the next budget cycle.
"I told him, 'Just start. We are in real trouble,' " Gunn said."
I like his "just do it" attitude. (He must wear Nikes). GW would have just thrown up his hands and said "Oh well, start cutting service." (I think GW wears Hush Puppies.)
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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GW would have just thrown up his hands and said "Oh well, start cutting service." (I think GW wears Hush Puppies.) 
