BREAKING NEWS 2 killed when Amtrak train strikes backhoe on the track

Seems this just happened a couple hours ago

Snippet from source:

"An Amtrak passenger train crashed into a backhoe on the track Sunday morning near Philadelphia, killing two people and leaving more than 30 injured, officials said.

The train was carrying about 341 passengers and seven crew members en route from New York to Savannah, Georgia, Amtrak said. The crash caused the front engine of the train to derail."

"It's unclear why the backhoe was on the track near Chester, Pennsylvania, just south of Philadelphia. The two fatalities were found on or near the backhoe, Pennsylvania Emergency Management spokeswoman Ruth Miller said.

Amtrak said 31 people are hospitalized for injuries not considered life-threatening.

The company announced it suspended service between New York and Philadelphia."

Read more HERE : www.cnn.com...

Sorry for improper posting, new bug is limiting me

This may be a bigger story then what it looks like. Lets look at this situation:

A backhoe is parked on a working railroad track
The track is a major transit way for workers going from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware
The train hits the backhoe
The front engine of the train is badly damaged
People on the train report an explosion in the back of the train
Pictures from the scene show that there is some burnt areas around some windows located in the back of the train

Reports are saying that only 2 people are dead, but is that really accurate?

originally posted by: Guyfriday
This may be a bigger story then what it looks like. Lets look at this situation:

Considering the two people on the backhoe killed work for Amtrak I think that is pretty much all there is to the story.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Ok I let this sit long enough. You don't see an issue with the backhoe operators and the train operators being with the same company being an odd issue?

a reply to: Guyfriday

Why would it be odd?

originally posted by: Guyfriday
You don't see an issue with the backhoe operators and the train operators being with the same company being an odd issue?

Why is it odd? Amtrak has its own MOW teams that do repairs.

Somebody is fired.


There are rules against smashing into the maintenance crew.

I know because I've worked for the railroad.