Amtrak Derailing outside of Philidelphia
Photo Source: BRYAN WOOLSTON/REUTERS On May 12, 2015, an Amtrak train was derailed which caused at least eight deaths and over 200 injuries to those on board. Preliminary data shows that the train was approaching a curve going around 100 miles per hour during the time of the derailment, when the speed limit of that section of track was 50 mph and just before the curve the speed limit is 80 mph. The section of the track was not equipped positive train control which is an automated speed control system, though Amtrak has put out a statement saying that they have plans on fully activating the speed control system by the end of this year. with It looks like the engineer set the brakes before the crash, but it is unsure exactly what happened because he sustained a concussion during the crash. Authorities are looking to see whether the crash was due to human or mechanical error. The Federal Railroad Administration has said that this is Amtrak's 9th derailment this ye...