Still more Monday morning rail news:
FBI investigation continues, 25 years after ‘Sunset Limited’ derailment
Twenty-five years after a fatal derailment of the Sunset Limited in Arizona, the investigation continues and a reward remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those response. An article posted on the FBI website on Friday, the 25th anniversary of the Oct. 9, 1995 accident, notes that the investigation continues and rewards offered by the FBI, Amtrak, and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office are worth up to $310,000. The derailment occurred at 1:35 a.m. about 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, killing the train’s conductor and injuring more than 100 people, 12 seriously. Track at the scene showed signs of sabotage, and investigators found a note claiming responsibility and expressing anti-government sentiments.
Louisiana rail service recovering from Hurricane Delta
Rail service in the New Orleans area has resumed in the aftermath of Hurricane Delta, which made landfall in Louisiana on Friday. Union Pacific told customers in a Saturday advisory that the New Orleans floodgates remained open, allowing interchange with other railroads, but that the railroad was continuing to clear trees, install ballast, and do other repairs needed to address some outages in Louisiana. Norfolk Southern reported its New Orleans intermodal facility was scheduled to reopen today (Oct. 12) at 8 a.m.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad reopens
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, shut down since September because of the closure of Sierra National Forest resulting from a wildfire, resumed operations Friday after receiving special permission to do so. The railroad will be operating fall foliage trains with its Shay steam locomotives throughout October, with three trains on weekends and two on weekdays. Details on seasonal specials have yet to be determined. Check the railroad website for more information.
