Caption: Amtrak Cascades train 517, the 6:35am departure from Vancouver BC's Pacific Central station is leaving station track. Its locomotives and Talgo coach-set closely match another Cascades train that derailed at a curve near DuPont in Washington state on 18 December 2017, part of that train falling onto I-5.

In the lead today is Siemens SC-44 "Charger" diesel electric locomotive AMTK 1400 with Washington State DOT (WSDOT) and Oregon DOT lettering, and the Mt. Hood Talgo trainset in the Cascades paint scheme. A GE P42DC "Genesis" AMTK 85 in ordinary Amtrak scheme is at the rear (it lead into Vancouver). Note the short articulated sections and single axle wheelsets of the passively-tilting Talgo coach-set. The end transition sections with HEP and baggage compartment were styled to merge with F59PHi locomotives originally purchased for Cascades service.

The accident train was lead by AMTK 1402 (scrapped), with the Mount Adams Talgo coach-set (scrapped), and trailing AMTK 181 (stayed on rails, back in service). The 18 Dec 2017 mishap occurred on the inaugural revenue run over the recently upgraded Point Defiance bypass. The final NTSB report is pending, but entering a 30 mph limit curve at 78 mph is always a bad idea. There were 3 fatalaties and numerous injuries, from minor to very serious, and at least $40 million in property damage. I was told that Talgo trainsets were removed from Cascades service after the accident, until cleared of blame.