AUTO-TRAIN DERAILED IN CROSSING ACCIDENT

Southbound Auto-Train No. 107 was derailed early on the morning of March 13 at Hortense, Ga., after being struck by a pulpwood truck at a grade crossing. No. 107 consisted of two diesel units and 30 cars. It was carrying 298 passengers and 107 automobiles, and was reportedly traveling at 70 to 75 mph. The pulpwood truck, loaded and moving at high speed, is said to have ignored crossing signal lights, plowing into the second diesel unit, causing the derailment of both units and 27 of the 30 cars. The truck driver was killed. Of the 298 passengers, only 35, along with three crew members, were hospitalized. All but four passengers were released. An adjustment to Auto-Train's daily schedules from Lorton, Va., to Sanford, Fla., to trips southbound on odd dates and northbound on even dates has been placed in effect until equipment can be repaired and returned to service. Auto-Train pointed out that this is its first derailment since service was inaugurated Dec. 6, 1971--900 trips have been operated since that time.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586268
• Corporate Authors:

  Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

  P.O. Box 350
  Bristol, CT  United States  06010
• Publication Date: 1973-3-26

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 8
• Serial:
  • Railway Age
  • Volume: 174
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-8826
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwayage.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Auto on train; Crash reports; Derailments; Railroad grade crossings; Safety
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00044085
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Railway Age
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 15 1976 12:00AM