Happening Now
Statement by NARP President Mathews on Amtrak Chester Derailment
April 3, 2016
Release #16-05
For Immediate Release (#16-05)
Contact: Sean Jeans Gail
202-320-2723
This morning, south of Philadelphia in the city of Chester, PA a collision with what appears to be a piece of maintenence-of-way-equipment led to a derailment of the lead engine of Palmetto Train 89. Currently there are two known fatalities on the ground, but none aboard the train. Amtrak service is suspended between New York and Philadelphia.
"We at NARP were saddened to learn this morning of the derailment just south of Philadelphia that has claimed at least two lives and injured many more" says NARP President and CEO Jim Mathews. "As a former firefighter/medic, I can attest to how chaotic these kinds of incidents can be and to how any initial information that emerges is often incorrect or incomplete. While it is too early to know how this incident occurred, I'm sure investigators will do a thorough job to help all of us understand how this tragedy occurred and how future incidents might be prevented."
About the National Association of Railroad Passengers
NARP is the only national organization speaking for the nearly 40 million users of passenger trains and rail transit. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by more than 28,000 individual members nationwide.
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"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."
Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.
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