Derailed Amtrak train plunges off bridge onto I-5 lanes south of Tacoma

KOMONews.com ^ | Monday, December 18th 2017 | by KOMO Staff

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

(KOMO) — PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - All southbound lanes of Interstate 5 are closed south of Joint Base Lewis-McChord after an Amtrak train derailed and fell off an overpass onto the freeway. Some injuries have been reported. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter

Chris Karnes 🌹 @TacomaTransit The train has derailed. Emergency crews are on the scene. Massive damage. People are hurt. 10:01 AM - Dec 18, 2017 24 24 Replies 119 119 Retweets 30 30 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy

Motorists are being warned to avoid the area. "I was just shocked," said Peter Zimmerman of Olympia. "I couldn't believe it. It was like something out of a movie." State transportation officials say the train derailed near Mounts Road. View image on TwitterView image on Twitter

Danae Orlob @naenae007 @komonews 9:55 AM - Dec 18, 2017 12 12 Replies 9 9 Retweets 4 4 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy

View image on Twitter View image on Twitter

WSDOT Tacoma Traffic ✔ @wsdot_tacoma All SB lanes of I-5 blocked near Mounts Road in Pierce County due to derailed train car. Avoid area! 9:45 AM - Dec 18, 2017 33 33 Replies 470 470 Retweets 118 118 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy Amtrak officials said the train was the No. 501, which operates between Seattle and Portland. The train had just begun using a new high-speed route Monday morning. Lakewood city oficials had earlier expressed fears that the new route would cause serious accidents.

Amtrak service south of Seattle is temporarily suspended. Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate.

[Not A Snowbird]

I wonder, did this happen north of the Lakewood Sounder station? I can’t tell from the maps.

[Terry Mross]

So, the ever reliable Harris Falkner transposed her numbers and said 18 instead of 81. What it shows is she reads whatever is on the teleprompter like all talking heads.

[OregonRancher]

Wrong!! Straight track - yes. Curved -no
Passenger cars are much longer than freight cars, which means the passenger cars are creating a deeper chord when on a freight line curve, opening a higher chance of de-railment.

[Paladin2]

There was another similar curve just ahead.

[Paladin2]

Amtrak Cascade consist:

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Rail/TrainEquipment.htm

Funny looking, very short Spanish Train cars using a shared single axle between cars

[BenLurkin]

Are there no news choppers in the Seattle area?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

FNC showed what looked like the lead Engine car. On track, stopped, approaching a sharp curve. Video from KCPQ-TV.

[Paladin2]

Foggy, Rainy, but one would think the NTSB would want some hi res overheads.

[Paladin2]

[OregonRancher]

Thanks Paladin!! Didn’t see that.

[editor-surveyor]

.
The train was doing 88 MPH!
.

[djf]

AP now reporting at least 6 killed...

[Terry Mross]

The train was traveling right to left in the picture. The curve looks to be 90 degrees.

[Terry Mross]

Well, maybe 45 degrees.

[LouieFisk]

Looks like it jacknifed off into the woods right at the curve.

[mewzilla]

I’m wondering if any high profile vehicles have ever struck that overpass...FNC niw has aerial from KOMO.

[mewzilla]

Wow. Physics was never my strong suit.. but that doesn’t look like a low speed derailment, does it?

[editor-surveyor]

.
>> “Yeah, it looks like the front of the train didn’t want to go around the bend.” <<

Cuz the back of the train was pretending to be the front!

It was a “pusher” train.

[LouieFisk]

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

HOW can it go 81 MPH around THAT curve and stay on the track??

Answer: NO WAY.