Breaking News: Major Amtrak wreck in Philadelphia......
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/05/12/crews-responding-to-reported-train-derailment-in-port-richmond/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/station/cbs-3/
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Amtrak-Derailment-Philadelphia--303536331.html
Preliminary reports are 50 injured, and Amfleets on their sides. Northeast Regional 188. Let's hope all will be fine.
http://6abc.com/news/amtrak-train-derails-in-frankford-several-injuries-reported/718111/
Does anyone know the track layout of the scene?
Derailed on outside of curve, next to freight yard.
https://twitter.com/WordlinkLIVE/status/598321793124937728
https://scontent-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/22499_10152951173391656_3550975185403961449_n.jpg?oh=f3ff49a922bebee193a343797a4352d7&oe=560729C9
It appears to be at Frankford Junction. The ex-PRR mainline sweeps in a broad left-hand curve (moving northeast towards NY). Back in the late 70s, my recollection is that it was 60 mph territory because of the curve. There are 4 mainline tracks. There used to be (may not be anymore) a separate Conrail industrial track (in poor condition) on the inside of the curve. To the outside, there are several tracks that split off from the main into the yard, then continue across a bridge towards Atlantic City.
In the accident photos, there is a badly twisted catenary bridge. It looks to me like it's from those junction tracks, not the mainline.
The PRR had a bad derailment just south of this many years ago.
-- Steve
NBC says several fatalities.
http://6abc.com/live/
Philly mayor confirmed at least 5 fatalities. Rest in peace.
From what I saw on my local NBC affiliate, and the links on this thread, it's obviously a major mess. Personally, I'm going to wait for daylight before even trying to figure out what happened. Of course, by that time the fault-finders and the people with agendas will all be out in full cry...
My deepest sympathy to the injured, and to the families of the deceased. After an incident like this, it's hard to remember that train travel is still the safest way to get from here to elsewhere.
Chuck
Please remember those who have lost loved ones. The CNN interviews and pictures show many injuried being removed to local hospitals.
CNN has had the 'experts' out discussing the rail conditon. The 'experts' have has point the discussion towards the poor conditon of the track due to the many trains and a few tank trains. The expert blamed the poor rails on the "decline of the rail industry" and that no steel mill is interested in making 'heavy rail.'
" Amtrak had wanted to go to heaver rails in this part of the main, but could not find a supplier." I find it interesting as Western rail lines (UP, BNSF) are double and tripple tracking without a cry "someone make us some rails!"
In my local area Amtrak yard concert rail conversion is going full ahead, been so for several months. Can't see how some 'expert' can put the blame on a lack of heavy rail and a "declining industry."
Yes, I heard one expert discuss the fact that oil trains travel over the NEC, and hint at the possiblity of it being a cause. Makes me sick. For just one night, turn off the agenda and focus on the victims and their families. Please!
Looks like no freight trains were involved.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/at_least_5_dead_in_philadelphia_amtrak_derailment.html
Photo Gallery.
The locomotive is sitting upright, with a chunk taken out of the right side of the nose...
Peter A. Kazmir - Leander, TexasMopac isn't just a freeway in Austin!
Frankford Jct. = SHORE tower. A major speed restriction has been there because of the sharp curve (something like 45 - 60 MPH, depending on the 'class' of the train) as compared to 100 MPH +/- on either side of it, esp. to the northeast - since the PRR days.
Coords. of the location - an aerial view will provide you with a lot of information about it:
N 40 0.075' W 75 5.801'
- Paul North.
Amtrak ACESES civil speed enforcement not yet implemented on south end of corridor. This could be a PTC preventable wreck.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
The death toll is now at 6:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32716462
These cars have ECP brakes ?
The BBC world service is saying that there have been nine Amtrak derailments this year. I don't remember there being that many. Can someone verify this?
I don't know if it has been stated here yet that the common history in wrecks like this is too much speed for the curve. There is a smaller history of major mechanical failure. A complete failure of the track or the lead truck of the engine would be most likely for that since all cars also derailed.
Speed does seem the most likely.
Other incidents the media has brought up have been grade crossing accidents - trains hitting trucks (as in North Carolina) and that kind of thing.
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