Missouri Amtrak Derailment - June 27, 2022

While this incident is tragic, it turns out that Amtrak does not own the track it was running on as is the case with almost all of their lines. 

In a updated statement released by Amtrak today (6-28); "On June 27 at 12:42 p.m. CT, Southwest Chief Train 4, traveling eastbound on BNSF track from Los Angeles to Chicago, 8 cars and 2 locomotives derailed after striking a truck that was obstructing a public crossing near Mendon, Missouri." 

BNSF is the logo of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, a freight railroad. My guess is the legal burden will be on BNSF and the Missouri Department of Transportation, since they both allegedly knew about the danger for a while, in addition to multiple crossings in the same condition. 

Amtrak is merely a guest on the track when there is no freight scheduled for that window. Of course there will be a legal burden for the driver of the dump truck as well.