Derailment on to SB I-5 in Nisqually - Dupont, WA

[wazzou]

Saw some confirmation from a Sound Transit spokesman today that the curve is restricted at 30MPH.

[Chris333]

But it didn't derail on the curve? 

[wazzou]

Yaah, it kind of went off the rails at the start of the curve.

[cjm413]

I like the idiot post by Trump in the middle of that.

[John]

Let's please keep politics or insults out of this .. stick to unconfirmed speculation on the derailment

[Maletrain]

NBC and CBS news broadcasts had graphic reconstruction of the derailment, showing the lead loco going off the outside of the curve and taking several cars with it onto the road, then additional cars going off the inside of the curve and onto the road, and the pusher loco stopping on the rails before the bridge.  It also reported that the curve had a speed restriction of 30 mph, but the train was doing either 81 or 83, depending on who was reporting.  Then they went into the need for ATC and how that would have prevented this accident as well as some previoius ones involving engineer error.

[John]

NBC and CBS news broadcasts had graphic reconstruction of the derailment, showing the lead loco going off the outside of the curve and taking several cars with it onto the road, then additional cars going off the inside of the curve and onto the road, and the pusher loco stopping on the rails before the bridge.  It also reported that the curve had a speed restriction of 30 mph, but the train was doing either 81 or 83, depending on who was reporting.  Then they went into the need for ATC and how that would have prevented this accident as well as some previoius ones involving engineer error.

That scenario looks pretty plausible .. from the looks of the lead engine -- I hope that engineer survived ..

[draskouasshat]

The only thing that would have helped this was ptc if it was speed related. Judging by the layout of the wreckage, this train was not doing 83 or 81mph. Also these cars lean into the curves but the locomotives do not. Im betting on ballast conditions from the rain.

Adam

[learmoia]

When I saw the P42 on the rear, I thought it was a cab-car in the lead.. didn't realize it was the Siemens Loco in the lead.

Wasn't it a Siemens loco in one of the other recent incidents as well (Philly curve)?

~Ian

[up1950s]

When I saw the P42 on the rear, I thought it was a cab-car in the lead.. didn't realize it was the Siemens Loco in the lead.

Wasn't it a Siemens loco in one of the other recent incidents as well (Philly curve)?

~Ian

Yeah siemens is very slippery .

[OldEastRR]

Seems to be too many "too fast on a curve" crashes on Amtrak. When freights crash it's usually some rail failure. Need for speed....

[Scottl]

Very sorry to see this accident.  This article and others does lend credibility to the speed hypothesis. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-18/amtrak-train-derails-south-of-seattle

[wazzou]

Im betting on ballast conditions from the rain.

Adam

Not a chance. 
I live 15 miles South and work 15 miles North, as the crow flies and it was dry as a bone for the last 2 weeks.
It's only just started to rain and it has been very mild rain, nothing heavy or out of the ordinary.
All of the ballast, ties and rail are new as well as the alignment of track as it approaches and crosses the bridge.

[Mark W]

I think these two photos tell a big story, and likely confirm the train taking the 30mph curve at 81 is the cause.   The question left is whether it was engineer fatigue, distraction, or just being unfamiliar with the route that led to the error. I suppose equipment failure can't be ruled out yet either.






I notice the rail looks slightly deformed here, and the ballast shows disruption beginning at that point too.  With the rear locomotive still upright and on the rails, it's amazing that this little deformation makes such a difference when one part of the train hits it at 80 and the other does not.   



I'm embarrassed to say that I've seen at least one nut job post claiming the "government is covering up what is actually an antifa terrorist attack because they're protesting fracking"...   

[Chris333]

What is that mangled metal just after the fence line? Kinda looks like a signal.