Due to train wreck onto HWY.All SB lanes of I-5 blocked near Mounts Road in Pierce County due to derailed train car. Avoid area! (From WSDOT twitter feed)

It's an Amtrak- multiple casualties!:(

First day of Pt. Defiance bypass. (If you not from around here, that won't mean anything) Will update as I can.Fatalities on the train. None in vehicles.

Saw a brief news report, train derailed on the overpass over I-5 and fell onto the highway. Amtrak is refusing to comment.

agesilaus wrote:Saw a brief news report, train derailed on the overpass over I-5 and fell onto the highway. Amtrak is refusing to comment.Direct from Amtrak:Service Disruption South of SeattleAmtrak Cascades services impacted9:30 a.m. PTAmtrak Cascades Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland, derailed south of Tacoma, Wash. There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101. Local emergency responders are on the scene. Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. No alternate transportation will be available.Additional updates will be provided when available.This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

Well some in this case means 76 transported to hospitals, 50 kept in hospitals with at least 6 in critical condition, and at least 6 dead. So I think 'some' does not really catch the actual situation. That is 76 out of 83 note.There are also reports that this was track sabotage, with something put on the track to cause the derailment. And supposedly Antifa threatened to sabotage the track over fracking?! This was a brand new train and a brand new track, this was the second run of the train and use of the track.

I-5 SB north of Olympia closed | Good Sam Community

Fleet_Man
Explorer
Dec 21, 2017
Per Q13 News, All Southbound Lanes NOW OPEN.
RideSlow
Explorer
Dec 21, 2017
News Release from the WSP:

Our Thanks to You
by WSP Government and Media Relations
I think everyone can agree it has been a long couple of days. Just a little more than 50 hours after an Amtrak passenger train derailed in DuPont, Interstate 5 has reopened for public use.

As of this afternoon, December 20, 2017, the two left lanes are open, with a set reduced speed of 45 mph. All three lanes are expected to be open by tomorrow morning.

We want to send our deepest sympathy to all those affected by this tragic incident. It is heartbreaking when a major, and especially fatal, incident like this occurs. Please know that our hearts ache with you and we are keeping you in our thoughts.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to all the first responders, partner agencies, and citizens who immediately jumped into action.

Lastly, we are grateful for the outpouring of support that has been received from the community. Your patience and understanding played a critical role in getting the freeway back open.

The Washington State Patrol has been on scene since day one, working 24/7 shifts to assist the Washington State Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board with traffic control and investigation support.

We will continue in our efforts to provide you with any and all updates that transpire over the next few days, weeks, and months regarding this incident.

WSP Government and Media Relations | December 20, 2017 at 5:17 pm | Categories: Feature Stories | URL: https://wp.me/p4ofGt-1b7
DRKMinWA
Explorer
Dec 21, 2017
UPDATE - 2 of the 3 SB lanes reopened at 5:00 PM Today, 12/20.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2017
He really sad part of this change is that it only saved 10 minutes of travel time, and bypassed the most scenic part of the trip along the Puget Sound.
StarkNaked
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2017
9:30 AM Wednesday - The lead locomotive just left the freeway on a special lowboy trailer. The trailer is so large that it requires two semi tractors, one at each end. The locomotive weighs 270,000 pounds. 19 axle trailer.

Currently they are trying to negotiate the corner at the top of the on ramp at Dupont-Steilacoom Rd.
paulj
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2017
Local papers are saying that the new line was put into use sooner than originally planed in order to expedite use of federal grants.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2017
I wish these reporters would check things out before writing and article about it. Apparently that safety system was not installed on this brand new section of track: LA Times
paulj
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2017
According to the WSDOT statement, this was a lightly used section of track that had been upgraded for use by Amtrack. Multiple agencies were responsible for the work. This was the first, or one of the first, scheduled runs to use this route.

As best I can tell from Google Maps, this new route rejoins the old one just a short distance beyond the freeway crossing. The original route was a scenic, but slow one, along Puget Sound. This short cut parallels I5 much of the way

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2017/12/18/statement-amtrak-cascades-derailment

This was part of an upgrade to the Vancouver to Eugene route, intended to shave time off the Seattle to Portland run. It's a joint Washington and Oregon project (along with federal funding and Amtrak operations).

https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/changes-ahead-as-new-amtrak-cascades.html

WSDOT's blog with updates:

https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/amtrak-cascades-derailment-dupont.html

According to this

Positive Train Control
From Sound Transit and Amtrak:
While equipment has been physically installed in the Lakewood subdivision where the incident occurred the system is not yet operational or certified for use. Full implementation is planned to occur by the second quarter of 2018 on that segment, in advance of the deadline.
Sound Transit, Amtrak and other agencies are working to implement positive train control in the Puget Sound region in advance of a December 2018 federal deadline. Work will continue in the coming months.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2017
RideSlow wrote:
jolooote wrote:
Computers can't slow a train but they are going to control 'Driverless' cars and TRUCKS!!!

Computerized Train Control installed on tracks in the area, not on the locomotives. NTSB has recommended installation for years, AMTRAK has been dragging out installation.

News talks about all the new tracks in the area, but that overpass has been in place as long as I can remember. May have a new road bed and rails, but that has always been a slow area.

It has to be on both the train and the track. It has been installed on this section of track as well as the train BUT IT WAS LEFT TURNED OFF. As usual the weakest component failed in this loop, the human component.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2017
jolooote wrote:
Computers can't slow a train but they are going to control 'Driverless' cars and TRUCKS!!!

If the system is left turned off it's hardly a surprise that it failed to work.