Amtrak Crash in Michigan (2/1/12)

[PerRock]

While a couple days old now, the forums were down so I was unable to post it.

Wednesday morning (the 1st) Amtrak 351, the Wolveriene bound to Chicago from Detroit (Pontiac) ran into a Semi Truck which was stuck on the railroad crossing and derailed. The Engine and 1st three cars were off the rails. P42 #128 (the lead unit) got spun around 180 degrees and ended up laying on it's side next to the train is was pulling with the end of the rail stuck into it. The following Amfleet Business/Cafe spun about 90 degrees the opposite way and ended up tilted at a 45 degree angle. RJ Corman & NS track crews worked through the night and Thursday morning NS was able to run the first train through. Amtrak service through the area resumed later that same day.

Picture Gallery (take a look at picture 15!):
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/-/1719418/8577152/-/cckbkgz/-/index.html

And some other shots taken by a member of another forum I frequent:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6804173789_9b58b2d84c_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6804201461_f278a381d6_z.jpg

peter

 

[SantaFebuff]

You know Peter, that darn unit was just on my engine pool for the local trains through Bourbonnais...

As soon as they put it on the Michigan pool... lol I'm glad no one was killed, still made for a bad day to be in that cab.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[JIb228]

Good think no one was killed, and good thing we have been having bad weather up here. Had the weather been good, those crews would have been freezing their bums off trying to clean that up.

 

[masterowner]

Is the engine salvageable?

 

[PerRock]

Unknown, at the moment Amtrak is investigating in what shape it's in to get it to Beech Grove. Then they'll have to go over it down there (probably with the NTSB) and determine if they can salvage it. Same is true for the Amfleet & Horizon (I do believe the Horizon is salvageable). At the very least they'll probably be used for spares.

peter

 

[SD45T-2]

I think it's in pretty good shape, only the headlight cover is missing, and it's nose is a bit beat up, but they can bolt on a new one, right?

 

[PerRock]

I think it's in pretty good shape, only the headlight cover is missing, and it's nose is a bit beat up, but they can bolt on a new one, right?

Take a look at that second image I posted (as a link), yes that is a piece of rail that has been bent up and now passe thru the locomotive.

peter

 

[masterowner]

Take a look at that second image I posted (as a link), yes that is a piece of rail that has been bent up and now passe thru the locomotive.

peter

Yeah looking at that picture the engine will probably be stripped for spares then scrapped... Such a shame.