NTSB updates investigation into February collision between Illinois Central, Amtrak trains

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on its investigation into the Feb. 22 collision involving an Illinois Central Railroad (IC) train and a stationary Amtrak train during a switching operation near Memphis, Tennessee. 

The incident occurred when the IC's mixed freight train reversed on a main track during a switching operation and struck a stationary Amtrak passenger train on the Shelby Subdivision, according to the report. IC is owned by CN.

The IC train consisted of two head-end locomotives and 82 rail cars and was crewed by a conductor and engineer. The Amtrak train consisted of one locomotive and seven rail cars; it was crewed by seven Amtrak employees and had 118 passengers on board. The IC train was shoving north about 10 mph on the main track when it struck the Amtrak train’s locomotive on the same track.

The IC crew told investigators that they interpreted the collision as resistance from an air brake problem, pulled forward, and reversed again. This movement ended about three minutes after the first collision in a second, lower-speed collision with the Amtrak locomotive. The collisions resulted in minor injuries to two Amtrak employees and two passengers. No other injuries were reported, according to the NTSB.

All aspects of the collisions remain under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause with the intent to issue safety recommendations to prevent similar events, board officials said. 

Meanwhile, the NTSB has sent investigators to Richmond, Texas, to investigate yesterday's derailment of a Union Pacific Railroad freight train involving 26 rail cars. The incident caused an ethanol leak from two cars, which didn't pose a threat to the public, The Associated Press reported.

No injuries were reported, according to AP, which cited a UP spokesperson.