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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on May 13, 2015 21:13:59 GMT
At least seven people were killed and over 200 people hurt after an Amtrak train, carrying 238 passengers and five crew members, derailed and rolled onto its side in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia Tuesday night, according to officials. NTSB: Train Going Faster Than 100 MPH Police said Wednesday that seven people had died, after the death toll had risen to six earlier when Temple University Hospital officials confirmed one patient had died of their injuries overnight. All seven cars of Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 derailed and came off the tracks near Frankford Junction on the 2000 block of Wheatsheaf Lane shortly after 9 p.m., officials said. The train was heading to New York from Washington, D.C., and had six passenger cars as well as an engine. Link to full storyThis story is local to me, I have taken Amtrak Northeast corridor service to NYC and Washington DC. It seems surreal. Praying for those who lost their lives and suffered injuries. The section of rail where the accident happened is curved and trains have to reduce speed to navigate it. It is also in a residential area. One passenger being interviewed said people from the neighborhood came out with water bottles and tried to help.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on May 13, 2015 21:22:45 GMT
One of the passengers who has passed away is local to us. I live between Philly and NYC. I see those Amtrack trains daily when I drop dd off at the train to head into NYC. Both the Philly and NYC local stations have been covering it heavily.
Thought it was a little odd to hear the NJ Transit would be cross honoring Amtrack tickets. An Amtrack ticket from here to NYC is quite expensive but an NJ Transit ticket can be had for $10-15, depending on the station.
It is now clear that the train was going too quickly through the curve. Was traveling over 100 miles per hour in a 50 mile per hour zone.
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Post by anonrefugee on May 13, 2015 21:49:16 GMT
I hadn't read suspected reason before this post. Wasn't there a NY crash last year for similar reason- too fast on curve?
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Post by hop2 on May 13, 2015 21:57:47 GMT
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Deleted
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Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 22:03:01 GMT
Just horrible. A good friend of ours is from DC but currently works and lives in NYC. His sister just had a baby in DC and he had taken the train down and was *supposed* to be on that train back last night. He had a ticket and everything, but he missed the train because of traffic. We didn't hear from him until this morning. What a relief. I am so very sad for those who will not get that same contact to relieve their fears of the worst
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 22:03:36 GMT
One article I read stated the train engineer has now lawyered up and not talking. I haven't taken a train in years but have to wonder if passengers would notice that fast of a speed or is 100mph normal?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 22:06:06 GMT
One article I read stated the train engineer has now lawyered up and not talking. I haven't taken a train in years but have to wonder if passengers would notice that fast of a speed or is 100mph normal? The speed limit just before the turn is 80 mph, and then 50 through the turn. Passengers could probably feel the difference between 50 and 100, but between 80 and 100... I kind of doubt it.
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Post by anonrefugee on May 13, 2015 22:14:49 GMT
hop2 I wasn't doubting I literally had not read -or heard-any suspected causes. I believe you there was lots of speculation!
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Post by greenlegume on May 13, 2015 22:25:28 GMT
One of the passengers who has passed away is local to us. I live between Philly and NYC. I see those Amtrack trains daily when I drop dd off at the train to head into NYC. Both the Philly and NYC local stations have been covering it heavily. Thought it was a little odd to hear the NJ Transit would be cross honoring Amtrack tickets. An Amtrack ticket from here to NYC is quite expensive but an NJ Transit ticket can be had for $10-15, depending on the station. It is now clear that the train was going too quickly through the curve. Was traveling over 100 miles per hour in a 50 mile per hour zone. holy hell
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Post by peasapie on May 13, 2015 22:27:14 GMT
Every time this happens I read they are going to install positive train controls that limit the speed trains can travel on certain sections. I don't understand why it isn't done everywhere.
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Post by trixiecat on May 13, 2015 22:50:27 GMT
What I think is really odd is the CEO that is missing that was supposed to be on the train.
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Post by hop2 on May 13, 2015 23:31:21 GMT
hop2 I wasn't doubting I literally had not read -or heard-any suspected causes. I believe you there was lots of speculation! Oh I didn't think you were doubting. I was specifically not specific on that thread,because I didn't want to continue the guesswork. And your right, print media didn't seem to play the speculation game, at least not that I saw.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 23:36:02 GMT
What I think is really odd is the CEO that is missing that was supposed to be on the train. Huh?
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on May 13, 2015 23:38:33 GMT
Sadly, I think the missing CEO was likely in the very mangled front car. I saw an interview on TV with someone from the NTSB that said normally they would not be talking to the conductor yet. They give them a few days to get their thoughts collected. Having representation in a tragic situation like this is never a bad idea, fault or no fault. What is unreal to me is that just hours after this tragedy, the House voted to cut Amtrack spending yet again. There was a story on the national news today (ABC I think) that mentioned how little we spend on the railways in this country. It also talked about where the tax dollars go and where they come from. This area- NY/NJ is on the list of the top 10 contributors of federal tax dollars but is also on the list of the bottom 10 for receiving federal money. If I am recalling this correctly, the point was the federal transportation dollars are mainly going to states without a major rail presence. The northeast corridor from DC up to Boston is the busiest railway in the US. Amtrack ridership has actually increased in the last decade as the funds continue to be cut. These safety upgrades are still a dream on the most heavily used section of the rails. That's a shame.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,421
Jun 26, 2014 2:34:35 GMT
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Post by luvnlifelady on May 13, 2015 23:51:57 GMT
I would think there would be a computer that could at least sound bells or something if someone is going that fast. Is he ever supposed to get up to 100 mph? So scary! I remember that other one in New York and then here in CA, there was a fatal accident not too long ago on Metrolink (commuter train). The conductor was texting and ran a red light.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on May 14, 2015 0:08:32 GMT
Yes, Amtrack trains can travel up to 150 mph in certain segments. 100mph is not outrageously fast in certain areas of the tracks. Unfortunately, not this section of track. The speed limit just before the curve is 80 mph.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on May 14, 2015 1:22:40 GMT
It turns out the missing CEO has been identified by her family as one of the victims. Link
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Post by originalvanillabean on May 14, 2015 1:24:57 GMT
DH told me about the train going too fast this afternoon. My first reaction was "he killed people and it was preventable". I'm so sorry for the families of these people..
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Post by annabella on May 14, 2015 2:04:52 GMT
I've taken that route and know exactly what curve that is, it's very memorable. I wonder if, like on the freeway, even though there is a listed speed limit, train conductors routinely speed. And if that is the case, the conductor could believe the train crashing is not his fault because he sped every other time he drove his train and thinks they are trying to make him an easy scapegoat. Train conductors are lifetime jobs so I would assume he had driven this route for many years and probably at that speed. I don't want to rush and assume speeding is the culprit, that's just too easy an answer.
Why don't they have seat belts on trains? I never leave my seat on the train so I'd be happy to use it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 2:27:20 GMT
Such a horrible tragedy. Being in NJ, this has dominated the news.
One of the people who died in the crash was a midshipman and sophomore from the Naval Academy who was on his way home on leave. Every loss and those injured is so tragic, but this one really hit home for me as my dad is a USNA grad and dd has a friend from school who is a midshipman. Such a bright future ahead of him.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 5:23:37 GMT
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 14, 2015 17:37:36 GMT
Soo sad! I watched the updates this morning about the 8the person died that found this morning. But that they have now accounted for everyone on board.
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Post by eebud on May 14, 2015 18:03:32 GMT
Soo sad! I watched the updates this morning about the 8the person died that found this morning. But that they have now accounted for everyone on board. I am glad to hear that everyone has been accounted for. Sad situation all around. I know this is doesn't change anything but since it was said multiple times in the thread: The Engineer is the one driving the train, not the conductor. The conductor has other duties but does not drive the train.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,202
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on May 14, 2015 18:09:06 GMT
Soo sad! I watched the updates this morning about the 8the person died that found this morning. But that they have now accounted for everyone on board. I am glad to hear that everyone has been accounted for. Sad situation all around. I know this is doesn't change anything but since it was said multiple times in the thread: The Engineer is the one driving the train, not the conductor. The conductor has other duties but does not drive the train. Thank you. I was going to say the same thing but didn't want to come across as nitpicking. My brother is an Engineer for the LIRR (Long Island Railroad into Penn Station) i.e. he drives the trains.. The Conductor is the person who walks the train and takes your ticket (at least on the LIRR). Such a sad story. I feel terrible for the victims and their families.
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Post by annabella on May 14, 2015 18:09:35 GMT
Thanks for the clarification eebud. I saw on the news today that the engineer is now saying he has no memory of the crash or before the crash. He's only 32 years old.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 14, 2015 18:24:09 GMT
I am glad to hear that everyone has been accounted for. Sad situation all around. I know this is doesn't change anything but since it was said multiple times in the thread: The Engineer is the one driving the train, not the conductor. The conductor has other duties but does not drive the train. Thank you. I was going to say the same thing but didn't want to come across as nitpicking. My brother is an Engineer for the LIRR (Long Island Railroad into Penn Station) i.e. he drives the trains.. The Conductor is the person who walks the train and takes your ticket (at least on the LIRR). Such a sad story. I feel terrible for the victims and their families. Yea I didn't want put that part about the Engineer either cause I wasn't sure I kept thinking how did he walk away from that. I don't want speculate like the media. It's got to be hard for those families!
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Post by eebud on May 14, 2015 20:00:00 GMT
I am glad to hear that everyone has been accounted for. Sad situation all around. I know this is doesn't change anything but since it was said multiple times in the thread: The Engineer is the one driving the train, not the conductor. The conductor has other duties but does not drive the train. Thank you. I was going to say the same thing but didn't want to come across as nitpicking. My brother is an Engineer for the LIRR (Long Island Railroad into Penn Station) i.e. he drives the trains.. The Conductor is the person who walks the train and takes your ticket (at least on the LIRR). Such a sad story. I feel terrible for the victims and their families. My DS is a Conductor for a railroad that doesn't transport people........with the exception of those that stowaway...........so he doesn't take tickets. They do things like switch the tracks and other stuff like that. DS is also certified as an Engineer and will eventually move to an Engineer job when a good opportunity opens up. He told me that a lot of the Conductors with the railroad he works for have no desire to be an Engineer. He said they like being able to move around more so they stick with being a Conductor. He said the Engineers are stuck in their seat the whole time. Once they have been a Conductor for a long time, there are other seniority reasons they don't want to switch.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,202
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on May 14, 2015 20:57:07 GMT
Thank you. I was going to say the same thing but didn't want to come across as nitpicking. My brother is an Engineer for the LIRR (Long Island Railroad into Penn Station) i.e. he drives the trains.. The Conductor is the person who walks the train and takes your ticket (at least on the LIRR). Such a sad story. I feel terrible for the victims and their families. My DS is a Conductor for a railroad that doesn't transport people........with the exception of those that stowaway...........so he doesn't take tickets. They do things like switch the tracks and other stuff like that. DS is also certified as an Engineer and will eventually move to an Engineer job when a good opportunity opens up. He told me that a lot of the Conductors with the railroad he works for have no desire to be an Engineer. He said they like being able to move around more so they stick with being a Conductor. He said the Engineers are stuck in their seat the whole time. Once they have been a Conductor for a long time, there are other seniority reasons they don't want to switch. My brother (Engineer) does the tracks. Like I said, my experience is based on the LIRR, nothing else.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 4:39:58 GMT
Every time this happens I read they are going to install positive train controls that limit the speed trains can travel on certain sections. I don't understand why it isn't done everywhere. I just heard on the news today that they have it ready to install, but were trying to work out a bandwidth problem.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:17:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 11:34:10 GMT
News this morning is that the train accelerated from 70mph to 100mph in the final minute before the derailment. They're not sure yet if it was some sort of malfunction or operator-caused.
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