Train 501's tragedy

摘要

A day of celebration turned to tragedy Dec. 18 when the Amtrak Cascades inaugural run on a new bypass route derailed north of Olympia, Wash., killing three people and injuring 62 more. The derailment - which had striking similarities to the 2015 wreck of Amtrak train No. 188 near Philadelphia - once again raised concerns about safety on the passenger railroad.Seattle-to-Portland, Ore., train No. 501 was moving at 78 mph when it entered a curve posted for 30 mph. The trains lead locomotive and all 12 cars derailed on abridge over Interstate 5, blocking traffic on the busy highway. The locomotive on the rear of the train was the only piece of equipment to remain on the rails.Charlie Heebner, 79, of Olympia was like many of the 78 passengers on board: An excited rail enthusiast ready to be part of history riding the first revenue run along the Point Defiance Bypass, a recently rebuilt route taking Cascades and Sound Transit trains away from BNSF Railway's main line on Puget Sound. Heebner remembers the train violently shaking moments before the wreck. The man says he pushed his wife to the floor just as their Talgo car jerked down an embankment.