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If they were going to rely on portable radio communication, the off-duty train should have been required to stop just prior to the crossover and wait for the engineer to receive the “all clear” message before proceeding, instead of depending on an emergency message to be received. Even highway...

The “See What Others are Searching” button near the bottom of the page is interesting. It immediately shows the results for previous searches (including train capacity) without any wait, which is handy for getting a rough idea of whether a trip might be feasible.

Rasputin’s TV observations are correct. I’m a firefighter. Synthetic shoes will melt and become somewhat bonded with your skin, creating horrific burns that can’f be cooled quickly, and leather is much more puncture-resistant. Both qualities make leather the best material for evacuating during...

A passenger just posted elsewhere that passengers have been bussed to a school, and those injured will be taken to Columbia MO hospitals.

That seems like a minimal amount of traffic. Thanks!

When I choose business class it’s often for the less chaotic atmosphere than in coach, with fewer people bumping into me on their way past. It sounds like the only advantage from BC on this train would be more spacious seats, but with much more through-traffic and a noisier car. I haven’t ridden...

Based on Amtrak allegedly wanting to know if certain people have previously been passengers, it sounds to me like they’re preparing a request for security funding and are looking for hard data that will justify larger expenditures based on protecting us from the “dangerous guy” who took a trip...

It anyone reading this thread was on the train held in Lynchburg, it sounds like the City is offering discounts or something for your future visit. Lynchburg community steps in to help after Amtrak passengers become stranded

If this was mentioned in the thread I missed it, but Lynchburg city reps brought doughnuts, water bottles and boredom-relieving activities (from Lynchburg tourism marketing supplies) to the passengers. Passengers were free to leave the train to go into the station, wander around, etc., and...

Great idea. Even better if the handles are recessed, so we’re not flung into them. As a first responder, I eye other passengers’ overhead luggage warily if it sticks out past the metal retaining bars and I don’t sit near the loose pile of luggage near handicapped seats, because I’ve seen what a...

What an awful tragedy. It’s really nice to see several members mention that if you’re ever involved in something like this, you hope to be helpful. I’ve learned a lot from the rest of you over the years, so here’s my two cents on specific ways to lessen the chances of fatalities in any type of...

Emergency crews can view floor plans from diagrams and photos and are used to dealing with a jumbled mess in many types of disasters and working their way through to every nook and cranny; layouts aren’t a huge consideration. Once they’re in a compartment they’ll either be right beside a...

Thanks for the info on what to expect right now. I’m surprised that passengers aren’t discouraged from wandering the train or switching seats, as that increases the risk of exposure to others, but it must have been a nice treat to see inside the power engine! You have a great way with words; I...

I’ve been burned by that marketing trick before with a different company. “Instant review” isn’t the same as “instant decision.” As “me” mentioned though, often a call will give you the reason for a delay and avoid a rejection letter that’s based on a frozen credit score, typo, or other...

A tactical pen. Very discreet and very effective. I also carry a centerpunch in case I need to help someone escape through a window that is submerged or in case the latch is obstructed with wreckage, and centerpunches can double as weapons. That probably seems extreme, but as a retired first...

While we’re on the subject of self-defense: know how to open the emertency windows on Amtrak, and know where they are in relation to your seat, on both sides of the car. If the train is stopped and you need to evacuate due to any onboard threat (which, I agree with others, is extremely...

I have COPD and asthma. Please keep in mind thst if your illegal pepper spray, mace or bear spray were to unintentionally or intentionally be discharged on the train or near me in the station, I will probably die. Literally. No inhaler will be able to counteract it. Rules are there for a reason...

Two of the common sources of poor customer experiences mentioned in this thread are the frequency of the food items being sold out early, and the ability of an Amtrak employee with a "difficult" personality to put a damper on a trip. Both of these often result in vouchers being given to...

The article that Siegmund posted mentions a fire resulting from the crash, and describes passengers who couldn't exit through their windows because of fire, and one who stomped out flames on the floor before she exited. It also mentions that all 64 passengers had minor injuries. I hadn't...

That's understandable. How sad for everyone involved.