29(7/25) hit a truck at grade crossing - now what?

We're currently on the Capitol Limited 30 mins outside of Chicago where we hit a semi at the crossing. We saw it happen, luckily it was just the back of the truck that spun around. Trailer flayed open. Truck wasn't flipped over. Drivers cab seemed OK and don't think anyone was injured. Can't see anything now so just guessing.

So how long do these situations typically take to resolve? Not to sound callous but we have a connection to the zephyr later today.

I have been involved in a couple incidents, it took 2-3 hours to be resolved.

Thanks for letting me know. Hopefully only 2-3 hrs and we'll be fine.

I was once involved in an incident in Winter Park on 92 Silver Star, when we hit a car and pretty much demolished it. Its driver had to be taken away on a stretcher in Ambulance. The driver's dog was completely fine except for being quite upset. The animal protection folks handled him very professionally. We were delayed about 90 minutes. I got to see all this at close range since by the time the train stopped the car I was in was adjacent to the crossing.

It all depends on how much damage was suffered by the front unit. If it can carry on then it could be as little as a couple of hours. OTOH if the damage is substantial enough to make it unable to lead a train, then it could take longer.

Wow. Crazy story! We're unable to see anything at all. The last car of the train is empty and locked. They just came on and said they're waiting for the police to do their investigation and then to assess the engine for damage.

Sounds like we'll be ok to make our connection. If no, though, what are our options?

Will they let us off the train here to get an iber to Chicago if needed? Also if we missed our connection guess we get a refund?

bryher said:

Wow. Crazy story! We're unable to see anything at all. The last car of the train is empty and locked. They just came on and said they're waiting for the police to do their investigation and then to assess the engine for damage.

Sounds like we'll be ok to make our connection. If no, though, what are our options?

Will they let us off the train here to get an iber to Chicago if needed? Also if we missed our connection guess we get a refund?

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I'd say they will decide in an hour or so after they have taken stock of the situation with the locomotive. Even if it is damaged they may be able to move slowly to a place with a passing siding and get the Lake Shore Limited which is behind you, ahead of you and then move both trains as single train to Chicago.

At present there are so many possibilities that it is hard to even start a meaningful discussion.

Looks like the incident was at North Clark Road.

Looks like 351 managed to get past it but 371 is stuck behind it.

Looks like the LSL will go around it too. It is running about an hour behind schedule. It passed 29 at around 10:20 local time.

Well spot on! They said the engine is too damaged to go on but another train is going to pull us behind them. Exciting! No ETA but the power has already gone off for a bit and now back on. So assuming that was the engine switch out?

jis said:

Looks like the incident was at North Clark Road.

Looks like 351 managed to get past it but 371 is stuck behind it.

Looks like the L:SL will go around it too. It is running about an hour behind schedule. It passed 29 at around 10:20 local time.

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Interesting - would that be where the like, what is it, 11 tracks cross the road (or vice versa)?

Metra Electric Rider said:

Interesting - would that be where the like, what is it, 11 tracks cross the road (or vice versa)?

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Yes 11 tracks - 6 are yard tracks, 3 NS main and 2 CSX main as far as I can tell.

We were just told they still need to cut away dome damage on the engine before the remove it and back the other train up. He said it's train 371. No ETA but I still have hope.

Sadly we just witness another passenger dressing down our SCA over the possibility of missing his connection. He expected amtrak to let him off the train and get on one of the passing trains.

jis said:

Yes 11 tracks - 6 are yard tracks, 3 NS main and 2 CSX main as far as I can tell.

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Thanks! Looks like there is an overpass just to the north for another set of two tracks.

That is such a weird area - that part of Chicagoland is a mix of wild spaces (including native dune and savanna habitats) and industry, especially refining and other chemicals, and of course, steel.

bryher said:

We were just told they still need to cut away dome damage on the engine before the remove it and back the other train up. He said it's train 371. No ETA but I still have hope.

Sadly we just witness another passenger dressing down our SCA over the possibility of missing his connection. He expected amtrak to let him off the train and get on one of the passing trains.

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They’ll get their wish, when your train becomes part of 371… which has or will pass you.

Hmmm. So not sure that's the plan anymore. Still no rescue. There's no sign of the other trains. And now I think we're waiting for another engine to be delivered. Sitting here on the tracks with no engine or power.

our next train departs in 2 hours. What's worse is were 30 mins outside Chicago and no ETA is being given. .

Saw a conductor and asked for an update. Said the head conductor told him Were waiting for another engine, hopefully 30 mins out.

Apparently the other train just towed us a short bit to clear the way. And left.

Why not tow us the remaining 20 mins?

This can't be the first time this has happened for everyone on the crew.

How did the damaged engine leave? Whatever method could they not have used that for us too?

Would've been nice to announce the update to the whole train. Now sitting here without power for almost an hour. Seems like nobody is that concerned other than the passengers.

We thought about opening the doors, hopping out, and walking a bit for an uber.

We are following this thread very closely to learn how Amtrak handles those passengers who have connections to make in Chicago. (We’ll be on CL No. 29 in early October and want to have some idea of what to expect should something similar happen to our train.)

Thank you for starting this thread and for your frequent updates. (We wish you the best in making your scheduled connection.)

Just out of curiosity, what warning devices were in place at the crossing where this incident took place?

bryher said:

Saw a conductor and asked for an update. Said the head conductor told him Were waiting for another engine, hopefully 30 mins out.

Apparently the other train just towed us a short bit to clear the way. And left.

Why not tow us the remaining 20 mins?

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So are you getting towed in by 371 or did you arrive separately ahead of it? I am guessing it might be the latter, since 371 was stuck behind you as I understood it. And of course in that case you also made the connection to 5 which was apparently held for 15 mins.

Please keep us posted on what happened when you get a chance.

Finally underway. The other train arrived 45 mins ago. But finally moving. Crazy bc were just gonna make, or miss, our CZ trip. We'll prob arrive around 2:10 is my guess. Several of us on the train are wondering if enough of us have the same CZ connection maybe they'll hold it?

Oh boy. Well...we made it! While it didn't seem like any personnel on the Capitol cared about our connection they clearly did in Chicago. Here's how it went down...

First as we neared the station we packed up and stood down by the door.

We pulled into the station I'd say around 2:15. As soon as the door open we made a run for it. Not long after we came to a nice woman holding a big number 5 sign calling our for any CZ passengers. Told us where to go. At that point I know we were ok. Then once in the station for a brief few seconds another gentleman was directing all CZ passengers. Then running down the platform a conductor was taking names and checking them off a list he had on his phone. So they clearly were holding it and waiting for a list of people.

We boarded at 2:18 and just pulled out of the station a few minutes ago.

Jis, to your question I really have no idea who pulled us. Whatever it was it had at least one passenger car. We watched it back up to us and connect.

Phew what an adventure!!

jis said:

So are you getting towed in by 371 or did you arrive separately ahead of it? I am guessing it might be the latter, since 371 was stuck behind you as I understood it. And of course in that case you also made the connection to 5 which was apparently held for 15 mins.

Please keep us posted on what happened when you get a chance.

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Looking at the status maps, 5 hasn’t left yet. Looks like they’re holding it.

bryher said:

We pulled into the station I'd say around 2:15. As soon as the door open we made a run for it. Not long after we came to a nice woman holding a big number 5 sign calling our for any CZ passengers. Told us where to go. At that point I know we were ok. Then once in the station for a brief few seconds another gentleman was directing all CZ passengers. Then running down the platform a conductor was taking names and checking them off a list he had on his phone. So they clearly were holding it and waiting for a list of people.

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This is honestly the most organized hold for a connection I've ever heard of outside the NEC. The communication on the Capitol Limited could obviously use some work, but this is exactly what Chicago staff should be doing. Never thought I'd say this, but props to them.

I am so glad you made your connection.

@AmtrakBlue looks like our posts crossed paths

@Eric in East County sorry forgot to answer your other question. I don't remember if there were gates or signals. It happened so quickly. I had my head against a pillow and the window with my eyes closed when I heard the engineer sound the horn for an extra long amount if time. Looked up just in time to see this semi and then the tail of it rip open. Crazy. The conductors words were we "nipped" the back end of a semi.

But if I had to guess there probably wasn't much there since the area was very industrial or rural. Dirt and gravel roads. Seemed very busy though like some sort of switching yard.

daybeers said:

This is honestly the most organized hold for a connection I've ever heard of outside the NEC. The communication on the Capitol Limited could obviously use some work, but this is exactly what Chicago staff should be doing. Never thought I'd say this, but props to them.

I am so glad you made your connection.

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Lol. To your point I'll add the #5 sign was commercially printed. Wasn't like someone drew a 5 on a piece of 8x10 paper with a sharpie.

Glad you made it! You were better off on the train, since that area isn't a quick trip to CUS - luckily it's not hot today like last week.

Yeah, the area is weird - to the north you have US Steel and other steel plans and to the immediate south some preserved dune habitat. South of that industrial areas and working class suburbs.

We were following your updates all morning with rapt attention. (It was almost as if we were there with you, experiencing the uncertainty as to whether or not you’d make your train.) We (and no doubt many others who were following this thread) were so relieved that hear that you did make your train. It was also gratifying to learn that Amtrak made a best effort to help you do so. Enjoy the rest of your trip and we’ll be looking forward to reading your trip report.