WASHINGTON (WAVY) – An Amtrak train that originated from Norfolk derailed at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning.
The incident is impacting service in Amtrak’s Northeast region, including Hampton Roads. According to Amtrak’s website, the 1 p.m. Train 138 from Norfolk to Washington Tuesday was canceled. As of Wednesday morning, the same train has also canceled its trip.
Shante Hall was supposed to be on Train 138. She was headed to the nation’s capital with her grandkids.
“We were going to the museums, hang out, eat and just have fun,” she said. “I am disappointed. I was rushing, and I was taking my grandkids to DC for the weekend. I am here with a car full of grandkids, and now I have to go to the car and tell them we aren’t going anywhere today.”
DC Fire and EMS confirmed the derailment occurred at 9:31 a.m. inside the tunnel at the entrance to the station. Two cars derailed, but remained upright.
EMS evaluated one of the passengers on board and an Amtrak employee was taken to the hospital for a “minor medical condition.” There were no other injuries reported.
Passengers were offloaded at L’Enfant Plaza station and taken to a nearby hotel, officials said.
Investigators are calling the incident minor in nature. It involved Train 86 that left Norfolk at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday.
WAVY reached out to Amtrak for a statement. Kimberly Woods, a spokeswoman for Amtrak, said the train was coming through the tunnel at a low speed at the time the derailment took place.
“At this time, Amtrak service is temporarily suspended between Washington and Richmond while crews inspect the area and work to re-rail the lead locomotive and coach car. As a result, Amtrak service south of Washington, D.C., is temporarily suspended,” Woods said.
Amtrak Northeast also tweeted that Train 141 and Train 94 were canceled between Washington and Richmond Tuesday.
An update from Amtrak at 1:17 p.m. announced that Train 176 and Train 171 were also canceled, between Manassas and Washington.
At 1:40 p.m. Amtrak Northeast tweeted that Palmetto Train 89 was canceled between Washington and Richmond, and Palmetto Train 90 has terminated in Richmond due to a disabled train blocking the tracks in the area. Additionally, Train 138 will originate in Washington because of blocked tracks.
Several other train routes are experiencing delays.
Hall is hoping she can get on a train on Wednesday.
“Now, we have to wait and see if they can put us on the train tomorrow,” she said.
She is also crossing her fingers the hotel in Washington, D.C. will give her money back. “I am going to have to see if my hotel is going to refund me back my money.”
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Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
