Pennsylvania Trains
A general Thread about the Railway System of Pennsylvania. What do you like / not like about the Pennsylvania Trains? How do you rate the safety of Pennsylvania Trains to prevent Train Crashes?
A passenger train has derailed in Philadelphia. Video from CNN affiliates shows what appears to be overturned train cars and rescuers searching the area with flashlights.
Word of the derailment quickly spread on social media, with posts on Twitter describing crews searching through wreckage and helicopters hovering overhead.
Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy tweeted he was aboard the train when it crashed. "Helping others," He said. "Pray for those injured." Later he shared a photo that showed a firefighter inside the train. Ref. CNN
Initial indications suggest there are at least 50 people injured in the Amtrak crash in the Philadelphia area, a U.S. Law enforcement official said.
The FBI is on the scene to assist in the investigation, but so far there is nothing to indicate the derailment was an act of terrorism. Ref. CNN
NTSB confirms Amtrak train speed exceeded 100 mph prior to derailment
Preliminary data show the speed of the Amtrak train that crashed in Philadelphia exceeded 100 mph prior to derailment Tuesday night, the NTSB says. Further calibrations are being conducted. Media reports say that was more than twice the speed limit for that section of curved track where the accident occurred. Ref. USAToday
The death toll in Tuesday night's Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia has risen to eight, and all 243 people that investigators believe were on the train have now been accounted for, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter told reporters Thursday afternoon. Ref. CNN
Freight train derails outside Pittsburgh
At least 10 cars left the tracks in a freight train derailment in Hazelwood, Pa., near Pittsburgh, KDKA-TV and WTAE-TV are reporting. Live video showed several cars overturned. There were no reported injuries, KDKA reported. The incident comes two days after an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, killing at least seven. Ref. USAToday
The engineer in Tuesday's fatal Amtrak crash told investigators he was not ill or tired, felt "Fully qualified and ... Reported no problems with his train handling," The NTSB said.
Investigators found engineer Brandon Bostian to be "Extremely cooperative" During his interview, NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt said, yet Bostian still had "No recollection" Of anything that happened once the train passed the North Philadelphia station. Ref. CNN
NTSB releases preliminary report on Amtrak accident in Philadelphia
The derailment on May 12 on a Northeast Regional train killed eight people and sent more than 200 to the hospital. The train was found to be traveling at 106 mph on a curved section of track normally restricted to 50 mph. Ref. USAToday