Posted on 12/18/2017 8:44:10 AM PST by 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.
Effectively cut I5 traffic south of Seattle.
Funny how it happened right at that intersection...
If I remember correctly this trestle is still all wood.
How it got a rating for 79mph is baffling.
The train was carrying passengers, including many transportation officials, set to embark on Amtrak’s new route #501 from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon.
This train runs very fast; the tracks may not be able to handle it.
Graffiti blight in the pristine northwest?
First day of service for this particular Amtrak line according to Fox News
Lakewood mayor predicts deadly accidents from high-speed train service
Saw a live CBS report. Rush hour, praying this was sparsely occupied long distance train, not a commuter.
Yes. I HATE it when wildfires, train derailments happen...
It just gives terrorists more ideas!! :-(
Actually, now that I see pictures from another angle, it looks like cars are on the freeway. Hard to tell.
Maiden voyage of this thing; lots of dignitaries on board.
This shows one of the serious vulnerabilities of high speed rail. Because of this derailment, the whole system south of Seattle is frozen. With airplanes and trucks, there are always alternate routes.
OH NO
Prayers for all who are impacted by this tragedy.
Union bridge inspectors ...
A new high speed train on old tracks on it’s initial run derailed as it entered a curve. According to CBS there are fatalities.
This sounds like putting the colonel in the lead tank.
“Yes, were pretty sure the enemy is retreating rapidly...”
What's that writing on the bridge?
Its the infrastructure that is falling apart
The Physics of Disaster: An Exploration of Train Derailments [Excerpt]
Did you read the article?
That is a possibility. The railroads have been on high alert lately looking for trespassers on right of ways.
That and track inspections have been stepped up in frequency lately.
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