Amtrak to begin training crews on Point Defiance Bypass for first time since deadly 2017 derailment
ByKIRO 7 News Staff
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VIDEO: Amtrak begin testing Point Defiance bypass trains with crews
ByKIRO 7 News Staff
Amtrak is taking a big step on Tuesday toward restoring passenger service along the Point Defiance Bypass.
It will be the first time crews have been on board since the deadly 2017 derailment.
The bypass was created to cut down on travel time between Seattle and Portland. A train derailed on it during its inaugural run, killing three people and injuring dozens more.
After the accident, there was a 17-month investigation, and a slew of safety improvements was made.
Amtrak will now begin training and qualifying crew members on the stretch of tracks from the Tacoma Dome Station to Nisqually Junction, just south of DuPont.
Once that training is completed in late July, Sound Transit, which owns the tracks, will decide when Amtrak’s trains can return.
“We’re going to be very diligent about our process. This is really driven by safety. We’re not on a schedule to get service back on there,” Scott Thompson with Sound Transit said.
The testing will happen from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Once crews have completed all the required qualifying runs for the route, Sound Transit will announce a final date for when service will return.
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Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
Crews are using cranes and flatbed trucks to remove Amtrak cars that derailed in Dupont, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle on Monday. At least 3 people were killed and dozens of others were sent to hospitals.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte)
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte)
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
An Amtrak passenger train derailed off an overpass and some train cars crashed onto southbound I-5 near Lacey, Washington on December 18, 2017.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A high-speed Amtrak train derailed on an overpass, and is hanging over southbound Interstate 5 near Lacey. Photos taken via KIRO 7 News Chopper 7 on 12-18-17.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18. (Danae Orlob via AP)
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
A train with at least 70 people going south to Portland derailed near Lacey, about 60 miles south of Seattle. There were multiple deaths and injuries, deputies said shortly after the accident the morning of December 18.
