Engineer in deadly Amtrak crash had no experience on new locomotive

The Dec.18, 2017 derailment of Amtrak train #501 killed three people and injured 62.

July 11, 2018

Engineer in deadly Amtrak crash had no experience on new locomotive — The Dec.18, 2017 derailment of Amtrak train #501 killed three people and injured 62. Photo: Washington State Patrol

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The Dec.18, 2017 derailment of Amtrak train #501 killed three people and injured 62. Photo: Washington State Patrol

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The engineer of an Amtrak train that derailed near DuPont, Wash., had no experience operating the train's new charger locomotive, according to federal officials at a Tuesday investigative hearing into the crash, KGW8 reported.

The Dec.18, 2017 accident, which occurred during an inaugural trip over a new route designed to save time by shortening the trip to Portland, killed three people and injured 62, the report said. Amtrak train #501 flew off the tracks after hitting a curve at more than twice the speed limit.

The National Transportation Safety Board's remarks come after the first of a two-day hearing in Washington, D.C.

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Topics:accidents Amtrak fatalities investigation National Transportation Safety Board NTSB train derailment Management Rail Technology Security and Safety

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