Trains.com

Amtrak derails at WASH Union station

1293 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Amtrak derails at WASH Union station
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 2:34 PM

Reported as train # 86.  Apparently near front of train. Passengers taken back to L'Enfant.  Apparently at 1st street tunnel entrance at WUS? 

Amtrak train derails at Union Station in DC; service affected (msn.com)

Amtrak slang announcement

Service Temporarily Disrupted Between Washington and Alexandria

July 11, 2023 09:00 AM

 

Trains operating between Washington D.C and Alexandria are stopped due to a disabled train in the tunnel blocking the tracks south of Washington. Rail service in and out of Washington is currently impacted. Delays are expected. We will update as more information becomes available. 

Since all service derailment must have blocked both bores?  If so more than minor deraiment??

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 2:45 PM
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 3:08 PM

blue streak 1

Two cars upright doesn't sound like that big of a deal.  While Amtrak will have its issues - the bigger issue will be the afternoon rush hour service the VRE to Fredericksburg and Manassas since the equipment is stored at the Union Station coach yards between the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 5:57 PM

Arother site said loco derailed.  (Have my doubts)  Confirmed by photo loco complete derail.  There are crossovers in that area .  Maybe something picked a switch?  Looks like loco picked a puzzle switch.

EDIT:  If the loco did derail the engineer would have felt the loco do so.  He then quickly stopped.  Or conductor might have pulled air? That way the whole train was not pulled thru the derailment site.  From statements the rear cars were pulled back to L'Enfant station so passengers could be removed.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 9:00 PM

A loco did derail.  The train orders web site shows a loco leaning to the loco's right against a wall in the tunnel.  Photo not the best but appears that a puzzle switch is under the front of the loco.  That is not good. 

It is interesting that  Amtrak has made no mention of loco completely off rail under a turnout.  There will be more nasty comments about Amtrak when it comes out.   

EDIT:  Assuming just one loco --  It is P-42   =  #25

From Amtrak unlimited

 

desertflyer

Lead Service Attendant
AU Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
392
Location
San Francisco
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, July 13, 2023 4:54 PM

As an aside.  VRE ran one of their commuter trains into the tunnel.  Coupled up to the undamaged cars,  Then pulled the cars with  passengers back to L'Enfant.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy