Big Bayou Canot Rail Disaster 30th Anniversary

On September 22, 1993, Amtrak 2, the Sunset Limited departed New Orleans, Louisiana following a major delay amid a dead air conditioner and toilet in the cars. 220 passengers were onboard, and the train was led by P40DC 819, and two F40s (262 and 312). At the Big Bayou Canot Bridge in Mobile, Alabama, a tugboat called the Mauvilla was stuck in the fog and darkness. Suddenly, it hit something while traversing through the Mobile River, and captain Willie Odom couldn't see because of the really bad fog out there. At 2:53 AM, splash! The Sunset Limited derails and hits the water, with every locomotive destroyed as their fuel leaked into the water, putting the cars on fire. 47 people were killed, and 103 were injured. All three locomotives involved in the crash were retired and scrapped; 819 was the first Genesis locomotive for scrap. Today, this crash is the worst wreck in Amtrak's history / the worst killer US train wreck since the Newark Bay rail disaster in 1958. The worst train disaster in US history is the Great Train Wreck of 1918, while the worst train crash in the nation is the 2004 Sri Lanka disaster, which killed 1,700 people. This Amtrak wreck happened 30 years ago today. Poor Sunset Limited... ;(

[@johnthechoochooaddict796]

In the end, all three locomotives were deemed a total loss, not only that but 819 would be the first Genesis series diesel to be scrapped after the wreck.

[@tom-and-mom]

5:07

[@rven2166]

Which simulator?

[@tom-and-mom]

5:02