UPDATED: May 8, 10:15 a.m. CT
By Justin Franz
Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder derailed departing Chicago Union Station on Sunday.
No one was injured in the incident but images posted online by people reportedly onboard show at least two Superliners off the rails. Amtrak posted on Twitter at 4:04 p.m., about an hour after the train was scheduled to depart, that No. 7 had been delayed by an “unforeseen mechanical issue.” Later, the railroad announced it had canceled the train altogether.
Beth K. Toll, senior public relations manager, told Railfan & Railroad in a statement that “Amtrak train 7 was traveling from Chicago to Seattle on Sunday, May 7, at approx. 3:10 p.m. CT. Upon the slow-speed departure from Chicago, some of the wheels on two cars of the train lost contact with the track. There were no reported injuries to the 196 passengers onboard. The train was canceled, and passengers safely exited the train in Chicago. Customers were provided snacks and food, as well as hotel rooms for the evening and will be accommodated for the next scheduled departure today (5/8).”
On Monday morning, it appeared the derailment was snarling regular operations for both Amtrak and Metra. Amtrak tweeted that multiple Hiawatha trains were canceled due to “unforeseen track closures in the Chicago area.”
Metra appeared to be running shuttle trains around the derailment site by having passengers on the Milwaukee West, Milwaukee North and North Central Service get off at Western Ave., and board another train for Chicago Union Station. The railroad was also encouraging people to take trains on the Union Pacific West and Union Pacific North lines when possible. “Passengers should head out earlier than normal when traveling until this issue is resolved,” the railroad tweeted.
Metra also confirmed on Twitter that it was an Amtrak derailment that caused the disruptions.
This is the second derailment involving Amtrak at Chicago Union Station in ten days. On April 28, a locomotive derailed in the station, again disrupting operations for Metra and Amtrak.
This week, a train on the Northeast Corridor also struck a piece of work equipment that was fouling the main in Rhode Island. No one was injured but at least one car was damaged.
This story will be updated when additional information becomes available.
