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The 1971 Salem, Illinois derailment involved Amtrak's passenger train, the *City of Chicago*.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Amtrak train involved in the June 10, 1971 derailment was the *City of New Orleans*, not the *City of Chicago*. The *City of Chicago* was a different service operated by Amtrak.
The derailment occurred on June 10, 1971, around 12:30 PM Central Time.
Answer: True
Explanation: The catastrophic derailment transpired on June 10, 1971, at approximately 12:30 PM Central Time.
The *City of New Orleans* train departed Chicago at 8:00 AM CT on June 10, 1971.
Answer: True
Explanation: Amtrak's *City of New Orleans* commenced its journey from Chicago at 08:00 Central Time on June 10, 1971.
Locomotive #4031 derailed as it passed over a crossover switch at Tonti, Illinois.
Answer: True
Explanation: Locomotive #4031 derailed precisely as it traversed a crossover switch located at Tonti, Illinois.
Before Amtrak, this train was known as Illinois Central #2.
Answer: False
Explanation: Prior to Amtrak's operational commencement, this specific train service was known as Illinois Central #1, not Illinois Central #2.
The derailment occurred near the unincorporated community of Effingham, Illinois.
Answer: False
Explanation: The derailment site was located near Tonti, Illinois, not Effingham. The incident is sometimes referred to as the Tonti derailment.
The train consisted of 15 cars, including baggage, coaches, a diner-counter, a lounge car, and a combination car.
Answer: True
Explanation: The train comprised 15 cars: one baggage car, eleven coaches, a diner-counter, a lounge car, and a combination coach/food service car.
Which Amtrak train was involved in the June 10, 1971 derailment?
Answer: The *City of New Orleans*
Explanation: The Amtrak passenger train involved in the catastrophic derailment on June 10, 1971, near Salem, Illinois, was identified as the *City of New Orleans*.
The derailment occurred near which unincorporated community, leading to an alternative name for the incident?
Answer: Tonti
Explanation: The derailment occurred in proximity to the unincorporated community of Tonti, Illinois, which is why the incident is sometimes referred to as the Tonti derailment.
How many cars were part of the *City of New Orleans* train during the derailment?
Answer: 15
Explanation: The *City of New Orleans* train comprised 15 cars at the time of the derailment, including baggage, coaches, a diner-counter, a lounge car, and a combination car.
Which railroad previously operated the *City of New Orleans* before Amtrak took over?
Answer: Illinois Central
Explanation: The Illinois Central Railroad was the original operator of the service now known as the *City of New Orleans* prior to Amtrak's assumption of operations.
The derailment occurred on which railroad line?
Answer: Illinois Central
Explanation: The catastrophic derailment occurred on the Illinois Central railroad line.
What was the scheduled arrival time for the *City of New Orleans* in New Orleans on June 11?
Answer: 1:30 AM CT
Explanation: The scheduled arrival time for the *City of New Orleans* in New Orleans on June 11, 1971, was 1:30 AM Central Time.
The derailment site is located in which U.S. state?
Answer: Illinois
Explanation: The geographical location of the derailment site is situated within the U.S. state of Illinois.
What was the original operator number for the *City of New Orleans* before Amtrak?
Answer: Illinois Central #1
Explanation: The operational designation for the *City of New Orleans* service under its previous operator, the Illinois Central Railroad, was Illinois Central #1.
What geographical coordinates are provided for the derailment site?
Answer: 38.665431°N 88.977421°W
Explanation: The precise geographical coordinates provided within the source material for the derailment site are 38.665431°N 88.977421°W.
Locomotive #4031, the lead engine, was an EMD E9B model manufactured in 1960.
Answer: False
Explanation: Locomotive #4031, the lead engine, was an EMD E8A model manufactured in 1952, not an EMD E9B manufactured in 1960.
The #1 engine on locomotive #4031 failed during the southbound run from Chicago.
Answer: False
Explanation: The mechanical failure occurred in the #2 engine of locomotive #4031 during its southbound transit from Chicago, not the #1 engine.
After the crew change in Champaign, the new crew found the #2 engine on locomotive #4031 to be completely unresponsive.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the crew change in Champaign, the incoming crew erroneously concluded that the #2 engine of locomotive #4031 was functional, as it responded to the throttle, despite its prior mechanical issues.
The traction motor on the front truck of #4031 seized, causing the wheels to lock.
Answer: False
Explanation: The critical mechanical failure involved the traction motor on the *rear* truck of locomotive #4031 seizing, which subsequently caused the wheels to lock.
The wheels likely locked up during a station stop in Effingham, Illinois, creating a false flange.
Answer: True
Explanation: The wheels are believed to have locked up during a station stop in Effingham, Illinois, resulting in the development of a false flange.
The false flange developed on locomotive #4031's wheel caused it to derail when encountering a curve.
Answer: False
Explanation: The false flange, a consequence of the locked and sliding wheel, caused the derailment when the locomotive encountered a crossover switch at Tonti, not simply a curve.
Locomotive #4031 had experienced engine trouble on its previous trip from Chicago to New Orleans on June 6.
Answer: True
Explanation: Locomotive #4031 had experienced engine trouble on its previous trip from Chicago to New Orleans on June 6.
To prevent further issues after the June 6 incident, the reverser for the #1 engine was locked in neutral.
Answer: False
Explanation: To prevent further issues after the June 6 incident, the reverser for the #2 engine was locked in neutral, not the #1 engine.
Locking the reverser in neutral improved the functionality of the wheel slip indicator.
Answer: False
Explanation: Locking the reverser in neutral critically *disabled* the wheel slip indicator, thereby removing a crucial safety alert for the engineer.
A 'false flange' is a normal component of a railroad wheel designed to guide it through switches.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'false flange' is *not* a normal component; it is an abnormal ridge or buildup on a wheel's tread, often caused by prolonged sliding, which can mimic a proper flange and lead to derailment.
The train was pulled by four EMD E-unit locomotives leased from Illinois Central.
Answer: True
Explanation: The train was indeed pulled by four EMD E-unit locomotives, which were leased from the Illinois Central Railroad.
The seized traction motor was located on the lead locomotive's front truck.
Answer: False
Explanation: The seized traction motor was located on the *rear* truck of the lead locomotive (#4031), not the front truck.
What type of locomotives were pulling the train?
Answer: Illinois Central EMD E-units
Explanation: The train was pulled by a consist of four EMD E-unit locomotives, which were leased from the Illinois Central Railroad.
What was the specific model of the lead locomotive, #4031?
Answer: EMD E8A
Explanation: The lead locomotive, unit #4031, was an EMD E8A model, manufactured in 1952.
Which engine on locomotive #4031 experienced a mechanical failure during the trip?
Answer: The #2 engine
Explanation: The #2 engine on locomotive #4031 experienced a critical mechanical failure during the southbound transit from Chicago.
What condition did the wheels on locomotive #4031's rear truck develop due to prolonged sliding?
Answer: A false flange.
Explanation: As a consequence of prolonged sliding, the wheels on locomotive #4031's rear truck developed a false flange, an abnormal ridge that mimicked a proper flange.
Where did the wheels of locomotive #4031 likely lock up, causing them to slide?
Answer: Effingham
Explanation: The wheels are believed to have locked up during a station stop in Effingham, Illinois, initiating the prolonged slide that led to the false flange.
How did the false flange on the wheel lead to the derailment?
Answer: It caused the wheel to improperly interact with the crossover switch.
Explanation: The false flange, a consequence of the locked and sliding wheel, caused the derailment when the compromised wheel encountered the crossover switch at Tonti, leading to improper guidance and derailment.
What safety device was rendered ineffective due to the reverser being locked in neutral?
Answer: Wheel slip indicator
Explanation: Locking the reverser in neutral critically disabled the wheel slip indicator, thereby removing a crucial safety alert for the engineer regarding wheel slippage or sliding.
What is the purpose of a wheel slip indicator?
Answer: To alert the engineer if wheels are rotating too fast or sliding.
Explanation: A wheel slip indicator is a critical safety device designed to alert the locomotive engineer when a wheel is rotating too fast or sliding on the tracks, which can lead to damage and hazardous conditions.
What specific part of locomotive #4031 failed, initiating the sequence of events leading to the derailment?
Answer: The traction motor on the rear truck
Explanation: The traction motor on the rear truck of locomotive #4031 seized, thereby initiating the chain of events that culminated in the derailment.
What was the approximate horsepower rating of the EMD E8A locomotive #4031?
Answer: 2,250 hp
Explanation: The EMD E8A locomotive, unit #4031, had an approximate horsepower rating of 2,250 hp.
Why was the failure of the #2 engine on locomotive #4031 particularly problematic?
Answer: It led to the disabling of the wheel slip indicator when its reverser was locked.
Explanation: The failure of the #2 engine was particularly problematic because locking its reverser in neutral, a measure taken to mitigate the failure, subsequently disabled the wheel slip indicator, removing a critical safety alert.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the derailment was caused by a signal malfunction.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NTSB investigation concluded that the derailment was caused by mechanical failure, specifically a false flange on a wheel due to a seized axle bearing, not a signal malfunction.
The NTSB investigation found no significant issues with the wheels on locomotive #4031's rear truck.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, the NTSB investigation *did* find significant issues, specifically flat spots, on the wheels of locomotive #4031's rear truck.
Markings on the tracks indicated that the wheels on #4031 had spun excessively rather than slid.
Answer: False
Explanation: Evidence from track markings indicated that the wheels on #4031 had experienced prolonged sliding, not excessive spinning.
Illinois Central maintenance forces correctly identified the locked reverser during repairs in Chicago.
Answer: False
Explanation: Illinois Central maintenance personnel failed to identify the locked reverser on locomotive #4031 during repairs in Chicago.
According to the NTSB, what was the direct mechanical cause of the derailment?
Answer: A seized axle bearing causing a flat wheel and false flange.
Explanation: The NTSB's comprehensive investigation concluded that the direct mechanical cause of the derailment was a seized axle bearing on the lead locomotive's rear truck, which led to a flat wheel and subsequently a false flange.
What oversight did Illinois Central maintenance personnel make regarding locomotive #4031?
Answer: They failed to notice the reverser was locked in neutral.
Explanation: Illinois Central maintenance personnel committed a significant oversight by failing to notice that the reverser on locomotive #4031 was locked in neutral during repairs in Chicago.
Which organization is responsible for investigating major transportation accidents in the US and issuing safety recommendations?
Answer: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Explanation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the federal agency constitutionally mandated to investigate major transportation accidents within the United States and subsequently issue safety recommendations.
The NTSB investigation identified flat spots on the wheels of which part of locomotive #4031?
Answer: The rear truck
Explanation: The NTSB investigation identified the presence of flat spots on the wheels located on the *rear* truck of locomotive #4031.
The image caption 'Flat spots on a wheel on #4031's rear truck' refers to what key piece of evidence?
Answer: Visual evidence of the wheel sliding.
Explanation: The descriptive caption 'Flat spots on a wheel on #4031's rear truck' refers to critical physical evidence uncovered during the investigation, specifically visual confirmation of the prolonged wheel sliding that occurred.
The 1971 Salem, Illinois derailment resulted in 11 fatalities and 163 injuries.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1971 Salem, Illinois derailment resulted in 11 fatalities and 163 reported injuries.
This incident was the second fatal accident experienced by Amtrak since its inception.
Answer: False
Explanation: This incident was Amtrak's first fatal accident since its inception on May 1, 1971.
None of the passengers were ejected from the train during the derailment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Six passengers were ejected through the train's large side windows during the derailment, contributing to the fatalities.
The second locomotive, #4109, caught fire and was completely destroyed.
Answer: True
Explanation: The second locomotive in the consist, unit #4109, sustained catastrophic damage, including catching fire and being completely destroyed.
How many people lost their lives in the 1971 Salem, Illinois derailment?
Answer: 11
Explanation: The 1971 Salem, Illinois derailment resulted in 11 fatalities.
What significant milestone did this derailment represent for Amtrak?
Answer: It was Amtrak's first fatal accident since beginning operations.
Explanation: This derailment represented a significant, albeit tragic, milestone for the nascent Amtrak corporation, marking its first fatal accident since commencing operations on May 1, 1971.
What was the condition of the two rear locomotives after the derailment?
Answer: They remained upright with minimal damage.
Explanation: The two rear locomotives in the train consist remained upright and sustained minimal damage following the derailment event.
What was the fate of the lead locomotive, #4031, after the derailment?
Answer: It was badly damaged but remained upright.
Explanation: The lead locomotive, unit #4031, sustained significant damage subsequent to the derailment event but remained upright.
The derailment occurred approximately how long after Amtrak began operating passenger services?
Answer: Less than one month
Explanation: Amtrak commenced passenger operations on May 1, 1971, making this derailment, which occurred on June 10, 1971, approximately less than one month later.
The NTSB recommended improvements to locomotive wheel-slip detection devices.
Answer: True
Explanation: The NTSB issued recommendations for enhancements to locomotive wheel-slip detection systems.
The NTSB did not make any recommendations regarding pre-departure testing procedures.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NTSB *did* make recommendations concerning pre-departure testing procedures, advocating for their enhancement.
The NTSB urged the FRA to develop safety standards for passenger ejection prevention.
Answer: True
Explanation: The NTSB formally urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to establish safety standards aimed at preventing passenger ejection through windows.
The NTSB recommended that the FRA develop standards for locomotive horsepower.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NTSB's recommendations did not include developing standards for locomotive horsepower; rather, they focused on other safety aspects like passenger ejection prevention and testing procedures.
What specific safety standard did the NTSB recommend the FRA develop?
Answer: Standards to prevent passengers from being ejected through windows.
Explanation: The NTSB recommended that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) develop specific safety standards aimed at preventing passengers from being ejected through windows during accidents.
What did the NTSB recommend regarding pre-departure train testing?
Answer: Enhance pre-departure testing procedures.
Explanation: The NTSB recommended enhancing pre-departure testing procedures for trains to improve safety and prevent future incidents.
Which of the following was NOT among the recommendations made by the NTSB?
Answer: Mandating the use of specific locomotive models.
Explanation: Mandating the use of specific locomotive models was explicitly excluded from the safety recommendations issued by the NTSB following their investigation.
What was the primary function of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) mentioned in the NTSB recommendations?
Answer: To develop and enforce railroad safety regulations.
Explanation: The primary regulatory function of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), as referenced in the context of the NTSB recommendations, is to develop and enforce railroad safety regulations.
X-rays during an exhumation revealed multiple unidentified victims in the grave intended for one person.
Answer: True
Explanation: Subsequent exhumation and radiographic analysis revealed that the grave designated for a single unidentified decedent actually contained multiple individuals, including what appeared to be a child.
The DNA Doe Project is assisting in identifying the remains of unknown victims from the crash.
Answer: True
Explanation: The DNA Doe Project, a specialized organization, has lent its expertise to the ongoing effort of identifying the remains of unknown victims associated with the crash.
What unexpected finding emerged during the exhumation related to the unidentified victim?
Answer: The grave held multiple unidentified individuals, possibly including a child.
Explanation: During the exhumation process concerning the grave of the unidentified decedent, an unexpected discovery revealed the presence of multiple individuals, including what appeared to be a child.
What organization has joined the effort to identify the unknown victim(s) using genetic genealogy?
Answer: The DNA Doe Project
Explanation: The DNA Doe Project, a specialized organization, has joined the investigative efforts to identify the unknown victim(s) through the application of genetic genealogy.