Second ‘Missouri River Runner’ to return July 18

Passenger train at platform

CHICAGO — Amtrak will restore a second day round trip of the Missouri River Runner between St. Louis and Kansas City as of Monday, July 18, reflecting additional funding by the state of Missouri. The additional round trip will see train No. 311 depart St. Louis at 8:15 a.m. and arrive in Kansas City at […]

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More lawsuits filed over Southwest Chief derailment (updated)

Aerial view of derailed train with cars on their sides

Lawsuits continue to mount in the wake of the fatal June 27 grade crossing collision and derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, with suits filed Friday on behalf of five passengers and two Amtrak crew members. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Star reports that, while the crossing where the accident occurred was on a state list of […]

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Amtrak now plans to resume service to British Columbia in September

Train approaching bridge

SEATTLE — Amtrak Cascades service to Vancouver, British Columbia, is now set to resume in September, according to transportation officials in Washington state and Oregon. A post on the Amtrak Cascades Facebook page says “Amtrak was able to advance the schedule” from its most recent estimate of December 2022, and that the transportation departments in […]

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Southwest Chief resumes regular schedule after Missouri derailment

Locomotive switches passenger cars in foreground as train passes in background

CHICAGO — The Southwest Chief that departed Los Angeles Tuesday evening and its westbound counterpart leaving Chicago today (Thursday, June 30) are the first Chiefs to operate over the train’s full route, passing the scene of the fatal derailment in Mendon, Mo., since that accident on Monday. Monday’s westbound Southwest Chief was cancelled, and the […]

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Southwest Chief was traveling at 87 mph at time of collision

Aerial view of locomotives damaged in derailment

MENDON, Mo. — The Southwest Chief was traveling at 87 mph — just under the track speed of 90 mph — when it struck a dump truck and derailed Monday in the accident that killed four people, including three passengers on board the Amtrak train. National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy provided that information […]

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NTSB investigators gather information at site of Chief derailment

Aerial view of derailed train

MENDON, Mo. — National Transportation Safety Board investigators spent their first day on the scene of Monday’s fatal Southwest Chief derailment worked to gather information on train speed and other data from the locomotive event recorder, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Tuesday evening. The NTSB also sought to examine video from the P42 […]

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Buses to replace trains on Hartford Line for two months

CTrail_Wallingford_Lassen

NEWINGTON, Conn. — Most Hartford Line service by CTrail and Amtrak will be replaced by buses for almost two months beginning July 18 to allow the Connecticut Department of Transportation to complete infrastructure projects in Hartford and Windsor, Conn. At Hartford Union Station, the platform canopy will be replaced, with new roofing and lighting over […]

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Fourth person dies from Southwest Chief derailment

Aerial view of railroad track, road, and green fields

MENDON, Mo. — A fourth person, and third train passenger, has died as a result of Monday’s grade crossing accident and collision involving Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported. USA Today reports that 150 people were injured in the accident, receiving treatment at 10 area hospitals for injuries ranging from minor […]

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