LAKELAND, Fla. — Amtrak’s Silver Star was involved in a derailment this evening (July 14) after a grade-crossing collision with a truck carrying automobiles, according to a WFTS-TV report.
An Amtrak spokeswoman said the train’s lead locomotive derailed, and that the company was working with local emergency responders to move approximately 166 passengers and 10 crew members from the train to a shelter. The passenger count was later revised to 163.
WKMG-TV reports first responders were called to the accident scene shortly after 7 p.m. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has updated the injury count to eight people. The train was reportedly traveling about 78 mph at the time of the collision, which cost damage estimated at $6 million to $10 million. The truck’s driver has been cited for insufficient clearance at a railroad crossing.
The train, which had originated in Miami earlier in the day, was operating on a route owned by CSX Transportation.
— Updated at 10:28 p.m. CDT with additional information on injuries; updated July 15 at 8:05 a.m. CDT with additional details, updated injury information.
Regarding the shortage of available equipment that Amtrak needs to maintain daily service levels, this reminds of what happened in the 1970s in New York City when the MTA was forced to pull its fleet of R44 and R46 cars out of service due to mechanical and electrical problems and cracked trucks. Luckily enought there was a surplus of old subway cars such as R10s R16s and some older R1-9 cars awating retirement and scrapping that were fixed up and pressed into service until the R46 cars could be repaired. It didn’t solve the equipment issue entirely but it sure hepled to maintain a decent level of service. Only recently there was an issue with the R179 cars also that kept the remaining R32 and some R42 subway cars running past their scheduled retirment until the bugs affecting the R179 cars was fixed. Even New York City had to borrow a fleet of old buses from Washington D C to keep service running when there were issues with Grumnam Bus fleet and cracked frames. So what am I saying ? that it pays to have a backup fleet of equipment held in reserve to take care of any unforseen issues that may occur with present equipment be it acciidents, derailments or any mechanical or electrical issues that would force any transportation entity to pull equipment out of service or to cover a shortage of such equipment. Amtrak is and was not proactive in keeping some older equipment in reserve to handle any emergencies which do and will arise. This also includes some F40 locomotives in addition to some Heritage Fleet passenger cars. But let us remember that Amtrak is a government agency run by burearcrats and political hacks who know nothiing about trains or how to manage the equipment and facilities entrusted to them as well as being very poor stewards of what they have to manage.
Joseph C. Markfelder
Why doesn’t CDL and police training explain that when a truck or car is stuck on a grade crossing, immediately phone the number on the crossing and also head a half mile up the tracks in the direction you hear a train coming to give a wash out signal to any upcoming trains. Such a simple thing that would prevent so many deaths and damage. Too many times the local police and others all respond to the blocked crossing and stay there when if they went to an adjacent crossing they could actually help prevent a crash.
Too many drivers think they can “beat” a train at the last second. Even though they usually don’t.
Not sure that your average CDL holder would have the slightest idea what a washout signal is, not how to do one. And I’m willing to bet that the Florida Man involved in this accident wouldn’t. (Probably couldn’t even pronounce it, much less do it.)
Officials said they aren’t sure why the semi-truck was parked on the tracks, and that will be part of their investigation.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
The truck driver must lose his CDL for life!
This grade crossing accident is not just another one involving Amtrak but only in a series of these accidents across the country involving both Amtrak and freight railroads. This track is owned and operated by CSX so this accident could have easily occured when a CSX freight might have come thrrough. All these grade crossing accidents point to careless drivers both auto and truck drivers not paying attention to safe and careful drivng when coming to a grade crossing. A railroad grade crossing is not a country lane or a dirt trail somewhere in the woods but an active right of way. As it is said and preached ” any time is train time” and always expect a train at any time. Law enforcement has to really step up better policing of these hot spots including heavier fines and possibly jail time as well. Of course this already reduces Amtrak’s ever shrinking fleet of both locos and cars. Like other lines, the Florida Silver Service operates on very tight equipment availability and in some cases just barely has enough to meet the daily service requirements. No doubt Amtrak will have to scramble and search around to see what they have left to cover the Florida service. In the meantime another hassle for the passengers who were on this train and were left stranded in some unknown and remote area of Florida {Lakeland is not exactly Orlando or even Tampa for that matter}. and for any of the passengers waiting north of Lakeland for a train that never arrived. What a mess that was created because of the actions of one careless truck driver who was not paying attention or following the rules and regulations when approaching a railroad grade crossing
Joseph C. Markfelder
The Heritage Fleet was retired too soon. It could fill the void of newer sidelined cars.
Florida Man strikes again!
Looking at Google streetview images of the pavement at the railroad crossing, there appear to be many scrapes and indentations. This means that this crossing is used by many “low-boy” type trailers, probably auto carriers. There is also a lack of a vehicle detection loop in the pavement before the crossing. So the truck driver probably knew he had to pull up to the intersection with US 92 to trigger the traffic signal to give him a green light. I would think FDOT controls this intersection as it is on a US route (most US numbered routes in Florida are also state highways). Perhaps FDOT and other local governments need to install vehicle detection loops before railroad crossings that are located within 100 feet of a signalized intersection with another road. Along with signage that says stop here before the crossing.
Among the responsibilities of a CDL holder is to ensure adequate clearance of the vehicle they are operating. That includes the underside of the vehicle.
I have a feeling that both CSXT and Amtrak are going to find out the insurance coverage limits of the tractor owner. Chapter 11, anyone?
Being responsible for clearing a crossing is every drivers responsibility, not just CDL holders.
Brian rightly opined: “Perhaps FDOT and other local governments need to install vehicle detection loops before railroad crossings that are located within 100 feet of a signalized intersection with another road. Along with signage that says stop here before the crossing.”
Hold on there, Brian! That would cost $money. Do you really think that Ron DumbSantis’s state would be willing to spend actual $money on something to try to mediate the level of stupid that his constituents exhibit? (Especially since this has nothing to do with his “woke” culture war….)
The fire service said there were 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel in the front Amtrak engine, which hit the semi-truck and then partially derailed. The sheriff’s office added that a “small amount” of fuel leaked. Truly a miracle in this type of incident!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
A P42DC has a capacity of 2200 US Gal of fuel. Unlike freght locomotives AMTK’s Genesis motors carry their fuel internally, reducing the chances of a fuel spill in an accident.
P-42 fuel tanks are under the locomotive…
Quore from article
“The train was reportedly traveling about 78 mph at the time of the collision, which cost damage estimated at $6 million to $10 million.”
Sounds like Amtrak is trying to write off all its P-42s?
From my observation, the railways contribute to this problem compounded by the low clearance of auto carriers and lowboy trailers.
The CN main here gets the track reworked every few years, ballast, rail, grade crossings etc. Each time the ballast gets retamped at the grade crossing’s the crossing elevation raises and the RR does their part by repairing the road surface for which they are responsible, the local road authority does nothing with the road leading up to the tracks therefore increasing the angle. I guess it all boils down to who’s paying as usual with little thought to ramifications.
This just increase the risk of hanging up a low ground clearance trailer.
Although only a thorough investigation will determine the cause of this incident, auto carriers have minimal ground clearance and are notorious for getting stuck on relatively small rises in the pavement. This incident and others underscore the importance of calling the railroad if your vehicle or a vehicle in your view is stuck on a track. The blue sign at every crossing lists the phone number and the grade crossing location identification. It is better to have to call back and say you were mistaken than not call in the first place and have something like this occur.
This could have been a lot worse!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
The Silver Star is a long-distance passenger train operated by Amtrak on a 1,522-mile (2,449 km) route between New York City and Miami via Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, Raleigh, North Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida, and Tampa, Florida. The Silver Star and its sister train in the Silver Service brand, the Silver Meteor, are the descendants of numerous long-distance trains that operated between Florida and New York for most of the 20th century.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Because of the similar accidents, it seems obvious that Amtrak’s rolling stock system will need a backup like major European passenger train operators.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
* A typical Amtrak’s “Silver Star” consist as of July 2023 is made up of:
ACS-64 electric locomotive (New York–Washington)
P42DC diesel-electric locomotive (Washington–Miami)
P42DC diesel-electric locomotive (Washington–Miami)
Amfleet II Coach
Amfleet II Coach
Amfleet II Coach
Amfleet II Café/Lounge Car
Viewliner II Dining Car
Viewliner I Sleeping Car
Viewliner II Sleeping Car
Viewliner II Baggage Car
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Yet another similar railroad crossing crash and derailment involving Amtrak!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
I just looked at the report from WFTS-TV. This one is going to be interesting. The crash was at a “protected” crossing. So, yes there are lights and gates. Enen more interesting, there’s dashcam imaging of the actual impact. Big question will be ‘What was the auto carrier doing stopped on a railroad crossing?’ Amtrak needs to
start considering wreck attrition and losses as well as maintenance in doing its rquipment buys.
“equipment”! (That’s what I get for posting at 12:46 AM local time!)