Dick Zellerbach Wrote:
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> I would guess speed at greater than 10 mph; more
> like 20 mph the way that engine is dug-in a long
> way from point of derailment. Train was moving up
> grade, not down. I've been on engines that went on
> the ground a couple of times. It's not fun!
> Scares the crap out of you.
It does appear the train was moving up grade, and it does appear that they split a switch. The switch is a spring switch. I can not guess as to the speed at the time of the derailment, but from the first photo, it does appear to have a bunch of momentum to tear up the rails and 'plow' gravel for as far as it went, especially since it was moving up grade.
I assume that as soon as the track is repaired, and deemed safe, operations will resume. It will be interesting to see an official report on the accident when it is released.