(The following article by John Iwasaki was posted on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer website on August 25.)
SEATTLE, Wash. — An Amtrak train en route to Seattle from Portland derailed about a quarter of a mile north of the Tacoma station just after noon Friday.
None of the nearly 205 passengers and five crew members was injured in the 9-mph incident, said Gus Melonas, spokesman for Burlington Northern, which owns, maintains and controls the tracks at the derailment site.
The derailed train has two locomotives and 13 cars. One car lost contact with the rails while switching tracks. The car is being lifted back onto the tracks by a crane. The line is expected to reopen by 4 p.m., Melonas said.
Railroad authorities are investigating the incident.
The passengers were bused to Seattle by Sound Transit.
The derailed northbound train operates between Eugene, Ore., and Seattle. A southbound train today was delayed by the incident.
Passengers that were scheduled to travel by train from Eugene to Seattle on Saturday will be transported by charter bus.