By Railfan & Railroad Staff

CHESTER, Mont. — Amtrak officials were in Montana over the weekend to thank the townspeople of Chester — a remote community along the former Great Northern Railway — for their help in September when the Empire Builder derailed, killing three and injuring scores more. 

On September 25, Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder derailed not far from Chester. Within minutes, townspeople and farmers came out to help passengers injured in the wreck. The local hospital called in all of its staff on a Saturday afternoon and residents drove passengers to a local gym where they could charge their phones and reach family members to let them know they were ok, the Great Falls Tribune reported. A local grocery store made pizzas and provided water for the passengers as well. 

“I told my cashier, don’t charge them,” said Ricky Maan, owner of the Chester Supermarket. “We can help those people who already hurt.”

On November 14, Amtrak officials were back in Chester to thank the townspeople in person and make two large donations: $50,000 to the local Red Cross and $50,000 to the town itself. They also gave certificates of appreciation to local residents. 

The cause of the derailment is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.