Amtrak Service Restored Along Busy Northeast Corridor
PHILADELPHIA (WJZ) -- Full service finally resumes along Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor. Now the focus turns to the investigation into what caused train 188 to barrel off the tracks in Philadelphia, killing eight people--including three with ties to Maryland.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren with where the investigation stands right now.
The newest information is that the NTSB has ruled out a bullet striking Amtrak train 188. The agency says it could take up to a year to determine the probable cause.
Federal investigators are focused on Amtrak 188's final moments, with the FBI joining the NTSB on the scene in Philadelphia.
Amtrak has now installed new safety equipment that can slow the train if it's speeding. The derailed train was barreling ahead at more than double the speed limit.
"Had that train stayed at 80 miles per hour instead of over 80 miles per hour, then we would have went right around the corner--a little bit rough--but it would have stayed on the tracks," said Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman. "This is a safe railroad, and we're making it safer."
Passengers have confidence, too. They boarded trains by the thousands with Northeast Corridor service fully restored.
"I think these are rare events and we have to look at the bigger picture. Train travel is very safe--it's much safer than car travel," said Richard Redding, passenger.
The investigation took a twist after revelations something hit train 188's windshield. A projectile also struck a nearby commuter train just minutes before, and a third object hit another Amtrak train.
"You heard a quick crash. As soon as I heard it, I turned to my left and saw that the window was in fact shattered," said Madison Calvert, passenger on other train.
Getting hit happens so often, engineers have a name for it. It's called getting rocked. WJZ found it's easy to get access to the train tracks along the Northeast Corridor.
In East Baltimore, the "No Trespassing" sign is worn. You can easily pass through the fence with direct access to trains and large rocks are all over the ground.
Tracks are just as accessible along the curve where train 188 derailed, but the NTSB says it's unclear how significant the hit may have been.
"I've now seen the fracture pattern. It looks like something about the size of a grapefruit, if you will. And it did not even penetrate the entire windshield," said NTSB investigator Robert Sumwalt.
Loved ones of those who died are still struggling to come to terms with what happened, with three more funerals held Monday.Also Monday, several more passengers filed lawsuits.President Obama stopped in Philadelphia, where he met with the mayor and thanked first responders.
