At the time, Amtrak 501 was making its inaugural journey of a new Seattle-to-Portland run called the Point Defiance Bypass route. Amtrak 501 was travelling at near 80 miles an hour while heading into a turn with a maximum speed of just 30 mph. One of the lawsuits was filed by a conductor who was training in the lead locomotive when Amtrak 501 crashed. The crash of Train 501 is again raising larger concerns about what many call a failing safety culture at Amtrak. This could have remotely slowed the speed of Amtrak 501 and was due to be operational on the Point Defiance Bypass line later this year.

Source: CNN January 28, 2018 19:08 UTC