RAILforum: Amtrak Derailments

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Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :

I'm compiling a list of all Superliners either damaged in a wreck or just simply in the consist of one. But it is proving to be an extremely dificult task to find consist information of certain derailments.

I have tried every possible internet search you can think of and I've even looked in some NTSB publications(unfortunately car numbers are rarely posted in these)

So here it is let's see who those real Amtrak experts are.

1) I'd like to know what happened to the California Zephyr on 4/??/85 I beleive in Utah. I know Sleeper 32008 was pushed into a ravine to clear the tracks resulting in this car being scrapped. But what was the rest of the consist, what was the date, and how did it happen.

2) What was the full consist of the Sunset Limited that wrecked in the Bayou Canot? I know the lead loco was 819, and two coaches 34068 and 34083 were scrapped.

3) What happened to the Pioneer on February 8, 1995? I only know coach 34040 was involved.

4) What was the full consist of the Sunset Limited that derailed in Arizona on Oct 10, 1995 as a result of sabatoge. I know of cars 32004, 32061, 33030, 34077, and 38026.

5) What were the locos (3) of the Pioneer that derailed on 1/13/97 (broken rail weld)? What was the full consist? I know of cars 32033, and 38060.

6) What were the locos (4) of the Southwest Chief that derailed on 8/28/97 (bridge washout)? Full consist? I know of cars 31501, 32088, 33036, 34076, 34133, 38017, and 39007.

7) What were the locos of the Texas Eagle that hit a truck on 5/5/98 ( I know of loco # 77). Full consist? I know of cars 32024, and 39008.

8) What were the locos (3) of the Texas Eagle that derailed because of "rough track" on Dec 12, 1998, I know of loco # 60. Full consist? I know of cars 32014, and 38031.

9) What were the locos of the Sunset Limited that hit an auto on 7/8/99? I know of loco # 98. Full consist? I know of cars 32016, 32065, and 39020.

10) What happened to the Sunset Limited that wrecked on 10/22/99 in Rimlon, California? Locos? Full consist? I only know of cars 32112, 34035, and 34107.

11) What happened on 11/9/99? I think it was the International(Georgetown, Ontario). Locos? Full consist? I only know of cars 34036, 34051, and 35011.

12) What were the locos of the Southwest Chief that derailed on 3/15/00 due to defective rail in Carbondale, Kansas? I beleive I have the full Superliner consist.

13) Full consist for the California Zephyr that derailed 3/16/01 in Nodaway, Iowa.

14) Which cars are slated for scrapping as a result of the Capitol Limited derailment of 7/29/02? I've heard 4 cars.

15) Locos of the Coast Starlight that derailed on 8/21/02? Full consist? I know of cars 32112, 34105, and 39023.

16) And finally, when did the Southwest Chief derail because of the Hector Mine earthquake? What locos and what cars? I can't find anything about this derailment but I know it happened, as I felt the quake and saw the derailment on the news.

OK so there it is, if you even had the paitience to get to this part of my post thanks

I apologize for such a long message but I've reached the end of what my research has uncovered.

Matt Doti
md038571@student.fullerton.edu

Posted by SWChief (Member # 1841) on :

The locomotives involved in the Southwest Chief derailment at Carbondale, Ks. on 3/15/00 did not derail, or receive damage. They were :

80 - P42
52 - P42
92 - P42
275 - F40PH

In regards to the California Zephyr derailment that occured 3/16/01 in Nodaway, IA, the consist is as follows.

140 P42
141 P42
4008 Cal Trans Bilevel (Deadhead)
1517 Mail
1195 Baggage
39040 Crew Dorm/Transition Sleeper
34071 Coach
34070 Coach
31522 Coach - Smoking
33034 Lounge
38033 Diner
32096 Sleeper (Nevada)
32049 Sleeper
70041 Express Box
71149 Express Box
70005 Express Box
71198 Mail for Denver
1 Triple Crown Roadrailer trailer

Hope this helps,

SWChief

Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :

Thanks

Every little bit helps and I appreciate it.

Posted by Dave Burden (Member # 88) on :

How about accidents that did not involve derailment? We were on the west bound SL on July 17, 2000 when it hit a car outside Demming, NM. The lead engine was #836 (http://www.mindspring.com/~dburden/train/sl_engin.jpg) and I probably have some of the car number written down somewhere.

I would also be interested in any news articles on this accident as well. I've never been able to track any down, maybe because it wasn't a major incident - no derailment and no injuries.

Dave

Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :

The first listing you have--CZ from '85, I believe happened in Colorado and not Utah. If memory serves, it was caused by rails spreading. Don't have consist numbers though.

Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :

Dave,
I to am also interested in non derailment incidents. But if it's tough enough to find info on the major news making derailments, I can't imagine how hard it might be to find info on the "little stuff".

MPALMER,
I have conflicting reports on this accident. Some say Utah, while others say Colorado. I agree with you though and I think it was in Colorado. (happened on the Rio Grande, but they did go through Utah I think, not a real good mainline Rio Grande person)
Anyway thanks for the info.

By the way,
the first incident I have in my own list is the fire in car 32008 on the Coast Starlight. Were there any other non major incidents involving Superliners between this one in 1982 and the CZ wreck in 85?

Posted by Genesis803 (Member # 122) on :

I have been keeping track of the consists involved in major wrecks for a few years now. I have a chart made using microsoft word but i can't seem to get it to paste correctly in this forum. If you would like, I can email you my entire chart. Email me at Genesis803@aol.com with a subject having to do with Amtrak and I will email you back.
Here are a few answers to your questions:
Sunset Limited; Sept. 22, 1993; according to the December 1993 Trains Magazine consist as follows:
819-Genesis
262-F40
312-F40
1139-baggage
39908-Hi-Level Dorm
34083-Coach
34068-Coach
34040-Coach
39973-Hi-Level Lounge
38030-Diner
32067-Sleeper

Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :

Genesis803,

Thank you very much for offering your wreck chart. I emailed you so I hope you get it
Thanks again