Hi everyone.. I have concerns about the safety of amtrak. I am suppose to be buying tickets tonight for amtrak to go from California to Boston, but I'm hesitant because I hear about derailments and it makes me kinda of think maybe I should just fly. Now my questions are, do derailments happen often? Is there a chance of one more so than a plane crash? Also what is the survival rate of a derailment? Also what is the cause of them? Thank you all [ 20. November 2003, 19:03: Message edited by: Starlight ]
I'll answer your safty question like this: in most Amtrak derailments deaths (if any) can be counted on one hand, in an airplane crash survivors (if any) can be counted on one hand! The worst thing about Amtrak is that your chance of getting to your destination on time is nowhere near the on time performance of the airlines. I will say this, if you are riding The California Zephyr and The Lakeshore Ltd I can safely say you will see scenery you never knew existed! Hope you elect Amtrak and enjoy your trip !
Hey dudes---when was the last time the Zephyr derailed? If ever? It's usually because of moron human error anyway. 13 people died (out of 300+-??) on Amtrak several years back because a barge operator hit a bridge pier in Louisiana. Same thing happened a few years ago when a semi hauling steel stalled on the tracks in Illinois. Airline might get you there a lot sooner, and they're safe too. But if you're paranoid--airplanes don't "derail" and fall over in to the drainage ditch. They CRASH AND BURN!!! There is absolutely no way that Amtrak is dangerous at all. Very Very rare. And it's a much more unique travelling experience. Jeez just take the train. More people get killed being hit by the train. My Coast Starlight 'bout three weeks ago was delayed about 3 hours because they killed a pedestrain near Santa Barbara.
Actually, Amtrak is not dangerous at all. Your chances of a problem riding a train, are much, much less than what could happen commuting to work, or running an errand to the grocery store. Unfortunately, we have a media in this nation, that is essentially illiterate when it comes to railroads. Their reporting of any incident is usually flawed at best. Sensationalism sells. Facts are secondary. Thus, people are unnecessarily scared. Aside from the tracks they actually own in their Northeast Corridor, they operate mostly over the rails of other companies. So if there is a problem, chances are extremely small that it's actually the fault of Amtrak. Causes of derailments are usually track structure related. Such as sun kinks in extreme heat. But we're past that season. Or when there is an extremely large storm, that suddenly dumps huge quantities of rain. Causing a soft area or washout. I'm not aware of any unusual weather such as that at present. Or when some dimwit driver crosses the tracks without looking, and the train hits their vehicle. If you are pressed for time, flying may be best. Given a choice, and having a schedule that would allow, I'd take the train. Boxcab E50
Hi Starlight, I may be a little late to answer your question, but certainly not too late to welcome you to TrainBoard. Besides, it looks like your question has been answered very well.
Thanks Pierce for the welcome Yeah but falling in a ditch is just as bad Dereck, could you survive that? I have a fear of flying and so that's why I would like to try the train. I'm not press for time Boxcab..I have plenty of time for travel..until the end of January to be exact.
