Hotline #791-C - September 23, 1993

Investigation on yesterday's wreck of Amtrak's Sunset Limited is centered on the theory that a lash-up of six barges and a tugboat may have struck the bridge minutes before the train's arrival and knocked it out of line. Ironically, the tugboat, owned by the Warrior and Gulf Navigation Company, and another tugboat owned by Scott Paper Company nearby, were on the scene early, rescuing passengers out of the water.

News accounts now report 44 deaths, making it by far the worst in Amtrak's history, and the worst since an Illinois Central Gulf commuter train collision near Chicago in 1972, when 45 were killed. The last major accident involving deep water was in 1958, when a Central of New Jersey commuter train ran through an open drawbridge on Newark Bay, drowning 48.

The eastbound Sunset Limited derailed on a bridge 10 miles east of Mobile, Ala., at 3:00 am. Part of the train plunged off the bridge, which is seven feet over the water, and into water and mud up to 25 feet deep. One of the steel trusses collapsed. Three locomotives -- including a brand-new AMD-103 -- a baggage car, a transition dorm, and a Superliner coach were in the water. A second coach was completely submerged. A third coach, a lounge, a diner, and a sleeper remained on the bridge, but one of these cars caught fire.

A rescue train, probably made up of the Gulf Breeze equipment that lays up overnight at Mobile, took survivors to a hotel in Mobile. Governor Folsom and DOT Secretary Pena visited the site yesterday. Amtrak has set up a toll-free number for those who wish to inquire about individual passengers on board the train -- 800/523-9101. Bereavement fares are available for immediate family members of victims who are attending funerals through October 15. Delta and United Airliners are also offering bereavement fares. Buses are being substituted for the Gulf Breeze south of Birmingham and the Sunset between Pensacola and New Orleans, for at least two weeks. Hardship exception refunds will be available to those changing travel plans due to the busing.

The House began debate yesterday on H.R.2750, the 1994 DOT appropriations bill. Debate continued today, including debate on rail sections of the bill. We understand that Energy and Commerce Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Swift (Wash.) was to engage Transportation Appropriations Chairman Carr (Mich.) in a floor colloquy, to urge him to do better for Amtrak during conference committee meetings. Representative Hefley (Colo.) introduced an amendment to eliminate Amtrak operating funding. When that failed, he introduced another amendment to reduce it by $33 million, and that failed too.

We expect the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee to act no earlier than September 28 -- so keep those letters and cards coming to your Senators.