At 1:05 a.m. (PST) on January 28, 2006, an eastbound Amtrak (ATK) passenger train, derailed one locomotive and four cars (all equipment in the train). The derailment occurred at Sprague, WA, approximately 35 miles southwest of Spokane, WA, at milepost 44.3 on the BNSF Railway Companys Northwest Division, Lakeside Subdivision. A total of 86 people including 79 passengers, an un-ticketed Amtrak deadhead employee, as well as three active on board service employees and the active three person Amtrak train crew were evacuated from the train. The passengers and deadhead employee were transported to a local shelter until buses arrived to take them to Spokane, while the active train crew tended the train before being shuttled to Spokane. Two passengers, the conductor and assistant conductor, were taken to a Spokane hospital and given first aid treatment before being released. Both the conductor and assistant conductor sustained minor injuries that met the criteria for FRA reportable injuries. There were no other injuries reported. There was no hazardous materials involved in the derailment. The BNSF Railway Company estimated track damage of $112,168. Amtrak estimated equipment damage of $121,000. At the time of the accident it was dark, the weather was mostly clear, with partial overcast sky and the temperature was 32DG F. Evidence found during the accident investigation indicates the rail on the high side of the curve canted outward under the train, due to rail seat abrasion on concrete crossties, creating wide gage. The probable cause of the derailment was wide gage (due to defective or missing crossties).


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    Title :

    Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Headquarters Assigned Accident Investigation Report HQ-2006-08: Amtrak (ATK), Sprague, Washington, January 28, 2006


    Publication date :

    2006


    Size :

    6 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English