Posted on 04/03/2016 7:32:11 AM PDT by Kaslin
DEVELOPING:Two construction workers were killed when an Amtrak train traveling from New York to Savannah, Ga., Sunday struck a backhoe that was on the tracks about 15 miles south of Philadelphia, Delaware County officials said.
Two construction workers were killed when an Amtrak train traveling from New York to Savannah, Ga., Sunday struck a backhoe that was on the tracks about 15 miles south of Philadelphia, Delaware County officials said.
The crash, which occurred around 8 a.m., derailed the lead engine of Palmetto Train 89, according to a statement by Amtrak.
One additional person was injured, according to NBC, which cited Chester Police.
Reports from witnesses on the train indicate the Amtrak conductor blew the train's horn, but construction workers were unable to clear the tracks in time.
Amtrak said initial reports were that some passengers were being treated for injuries, but could not immediately confirm fatalities.
A passenger on the train described a fireball and windows on the train being blown out upon impact.
"The conductor did inform us that there was a fatality, that there were people working on the track," Stephanie Burroughs told Fox News. Burroughs said she was told the death was someone who was "working on the tracks."
She also said there were "some injuries" to passengers in the front car, but she had heard the worst injury was a broken arm.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I have never ridden on a train here in the States and sure wouldn’t wouldn’t to ride on Amtrack
I think that may have been the derailed engine from the train just painted yellow
We lived in Canton, Massachusetts, in a duplex rental. The Bosh-Wash railroad was about one hundred feet behind our house.
One night there was this monster awful sound. Turns out that one of those beasts, which we dubbed the rock vacuum cleaner was creeping along the tracks.
I don't recall ever hearing a mechanical sound that loud before or after.
The large yellow machine is a “Ballast Regulator”, it follows a laser to adjust the track elevator, improving ride ability and increase in speeds. The tire shown in the other pictures is the front tire of a backhoe/loader that assists in handling ballast stone.
This work is usually done on weekends due to low track usage.
This was not a last minute idea, it was planned well in advance. The track was out of service and closed to train traffic, it is called a “outing”.
When this work is done you are in a “Fouling Limit”, that is within 21 LF of the center line of a active track. Present are Flagmen and Safety Inspectors, their word is “law” and can and will have you arrested if you present a danger to safety, at the site of work and distance before and after the work zone all connected by radio, ALSO, the Central Control of that track section has a system that tells them what track the train is in and it’s real time location.
By the time you see the train coming at you and it is moving at 60 to 100 mph you are dead.
Why did it happen? We will find out soon enough, but someone screwed up, wait for the results of the investigation before assigning blame.
And may those killed Rest in Peace, and God Bless them and their families. Amen.
Prayers for the deceased and their families.
Why didn’t they jump out and get away before the train hit?
Maybe they couldn't, Perhaps they didn't hear the train approaching because of the noise the equipment made?
Thanks for the knowledgeable update. As always, there is someone with the detail understanding to give us insight. Prayers for the dead and injured.
the whole story will be buried because in communist America, the govt and the business cabal cover for each other..
Since my ‘experience’ with Amtrak, I have heard from others.
The most memorable, plumbers working under a large building and over multiple tracks in Chicago.
They had all the ‘stuff’, two ground guys/lookouts, a mile of caution tape, safety cones...
They said, the first few days if they saw a light in the distance, they climbed down the scaffold and ran like crazy.
After much climbing and running, they relaxed.
Then one day, someone said this looks different?
Not to worry they always look like that, one said!!!
Not exactly!
The slower of the two swears the train hit the scaffolding just as he let go!!!
we might wait for ever.....when the gay conductor forgot to pull the brake in time and the train derailed near Philly several months ago, absolutely nothing ever came of it as far as I know....
the whole story will be buried because in communist America, the govt and the business cabal cover for each other..
After that accident, Chris Mathews said Republicans treat trains the way they treat Hispanics.
I don’t know what his point was. I think Chris and other liberals frequently have no point, and/or no real logical though process.
I can’t wait to hear what Chris Mathews has to say about this accident. Doubtless lack of enough spending on train safety by Republicans will be blamed.
Prayers for the victims and may those who died RIP too.
ff
I knew it couldn’t possibly be a real backhoe, news reports normally call an actual backhoe a “bulldozer”.
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