All Things Empire Builder

USRailFan wrote:Could be the extra sleeper was deadheading?

Definitely not deadheading, I was in it (0731). But several roomettes remained empty the entire trip. No one was booked into the trans dorm, though it was numbered 0732.
So the consist was 2xP42, View Bag, 0732-0731-0730-diner-0711-lounge-2714-2715-2730. And boy was that 0711 full!

Comic book writer Gail Simone just took the EB from her home in Portland, Ore. to the C2E2 comics convention in Chicago. Her Twitter thread about the experience starts here. Spoiler: she had a great time.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/rep ... a-80236575

HAVRE, Mont. -- An Amtrak train that runs between Seattle and Chicago derailed Saturday in central Montana, the KXLY TV station reported.

The train derailed between the Havre and Shelby stops in Montana, KXLY said.

Local news teams in Harve, Montana are covering the story:

KXLY: https://www.kxly.com/amtrak-train-derai ... c/2933226/

KHQ: https://www.khq.com/news/montana-emerge ... 13669.html

Photos in both point the train as derailed in Buelow, Montana. One car is on it's side. Everyone's evacuated or being rescued.

KSEN AM radio now showing photos of what looks like three cars on their side: https://ksenam.com/westbound-empire-bui ... n-montana/

As much as I want to speculate, I'm going to hold off until we get word of injuries/casualties/etc.

Let the NTSB investigation and the lawsuits against Amtrak and BNSF commence.

I hope the worst injuries are broken bones, and I hopefully only a few of them.

Two cars on the end of the train. Train nearly exactly halfway between Havre and Shelby, the closest significant towns with a medical center. About 75 miles north of Great Falls.

Also, KXLY and KREM are Spokane stations - hopefully the local media will start providing more updates soon:

https://nbcmontana.com/

https://www.montanarightnow.com/

https://www.krtv.com/

Everyone: This derailment occurred near Joplin, Liberty County, Montana at East Buelow interlocking. The train number was 7/27 westbound CHI-SEA with 147 passengers and 13 crew members aboard.
Five Amtrak Superliner cars are reported to be derailed - with at least one over on its side.
US Route 2 parallels the BNSF across northern Montana - the derailment was at US-2 MT mile 330.

Google search "Amtrak Empire Builder Train #7/27 west derailment - Joplin, MT 9/25" for more news.
MACTRAXX

What is the makeup of the Builder? Sleepers on the rear or coaches?

Sadly, three fatalities so far.

An Empire Builder derailed today in Montanna, around 4PM Mountain Time. 5 cars (not entire train). Seems to have been front portion of train, no idea what type of loco. Happened in the middle of nowhere, at least 3 fatalities, dozens of injuries. No idea of cause, but one has to wonder if 'it had help'. Lots of poor photos and video online, little viable information.

Some cars tilted, some on their side, some upright on the track.

frequentflyer wrote: ↑Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:18 pm Sadly, three fatalities so far.

And 50 hospitalized.

There is a signal located in the photos at the location of the derailment. I assume this is single-track territory, but does anyone know if there is a siding or crossover in the area? Is there a grade crossing, culvert, stream, etc?

Likely location of East Buelow interlocking:

https://goo.gl/maps/cVdZu8eJDh56QRZC8