Auto Train Services and Amtrak Derailment in SC

[Anonymous]

The Amtrak Silver Meteor derailed on May 14th here in South Carolina. 14 were injured, but none seriously. Most trains are rerouting to stay o schedule, but the tracks where the derailment took place will be out for at least 48 hrs. I railfan in Columbia, SC and have seen some of the rerouted traffic today being accented with the Amtrak Auto Train. And even the Auto Train had problems because when it arrived in Columbia, the lead Genesis had only 500 gal. of fuel left and the 2nd Genesis already ran out. It left Columbia behind CSX power (SD70MAC and 2 GP40-2s). Is Amtrak the only service in the US with a Auto Train service?

[Anonymous]

The log truck driver is already trying to lie to get out of it.

[favuprailroadfan]

Yes, as far as I know of. Amtrak is the only provider of this type of service. I like the concept of the Auto Train. I think that Amtrak should consider this on most of their long distance trains IF and that is a big IF they don't cancel them later on this year. Personally, I would love to see Amtrak disbanded and passenger service returned back to the regular railroads. But I know that there are alot of people that like Amtrak, and there are some that don't. But this is just my opinion.

Hope it helps, Dru

[Anonymous]

I see that in the newspaper. They are also trying to say that because there was no flashing signals or crossbar, that they may not press charges on the driver. But, that was a sight to see those 5 units (CSX SD70MAC #752, 2 GP40-2s, 2 Genesis) take the Auto Train here through Columbia. If there is anyone along the Columbia Subdivision or along the route it would take out of Savannah to Florida, I want to know how far the CSX engines took the train. Like I said earlier, they were running extremely low on fuel when they left Columbia.