Ugly.

I still can't tell how many locomotives were on the CSX train. These views look like two.

It looks like the Amtrak locomotive overrode the first CSX locomotive and turned on it's side, bringing the first car with it.

I can't believe that anybody was on the freight train at the time of the collision.

 

-- Edited by Snippy on Sunday 4th of February 2018 09:00:54 AM

More details from ABC News:http://abcnews.go.com/US/amtrak-passenger-train-collides-freight-train-sc-injuries/story?id=52826058

Although most of you guys are already on top of this.*** just heard about it, having just woke up.

I'm getting the impression that this is "dark territory" since the speed limit for passenger
is 59MPH. TW control. Non-automatic switches. Trains need to line themselves into the siding.
The switch was "pad-locked" for the siding which is a screw-up for sure that a train in the
siding does not want an AMTK train to crash into them. No advanced signals to indicate a
red block in Dark Territory. I cant believe a TW was issued to the train on the siding "check
box ** Leave train on siding with the mainline switch lined and locked for the next train to
crash into you. I don't know. Just like the push for gun control keeps happening by "events"
this big push for PTC in the railroad world seems to be following with events of their own.
This is really a horrific train crash with the AMTK train getting the worst of it. Bet you want to
know what celestial aspect was present at the time of this wreck...Venus square Jupiter...exact.

Early nooz reports that switch was lined directly into the CSX freight train.

If so, why, and whose gonna be blamed. Meanwhile two head-end crewmen are dead.

What a mess...

Great photo of a bad crash. The cab of #47 looks to have been split down the middle.
Jeez.

In the Line of Duty: Michael Kempf 

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 7 BLET member Michael Kempf, a member of BLET Division 35 in Jacksonville, Fla., was killed when his Amtrak train collided with a CSX train tied down in a siding near Columbia, S.C., on February 4, 2018. Brother Kempf was 54 years old. Also killed in the crash was 32-year-old conductor Michael Sella. 

Employed by Amtrak, Brother Kempf first joined the BLET on February 1, 2014. He had worked at Amtrak and also at CSX over the years. Prior to his railroad career, Brother Kempf spent 20 years in the U.S. Army serving as a tank commander. He was stationed in Panama and South Korea, among other locations. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident. In addition to the two fatalities, 116 people were injured when Amtrak train 91 entered a siding at Cayce, S.C., and struck a stationary CSX train. The NTSB reported that the switch leading to the siding was improperly aligned, diverting the Amtrak train from the mainline to the siding. 

Brother Kempf is survived by his wife and three children. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. A visitation will be held at the Richmond Hill Funeral Home (8901 Ford Ave., Richmond Hill, GA 31324, (912) 756-7575) on February 7 from 5-7 p.m., and the funeral will follow at 2 p.m. on February 8. 

On behalf of all members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, I extend deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Michael Kempf, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Wednesday, February 07, 2018