According to initial reports, Amtrak train 188 has derailed at or near SHORE interlocking, near Frankford Avenue and Wheatsheaf Lane in North Philadelphia. Former Congressman Patrick Murphy has tweeted photos from the inside of a cafe car that has rolled on to its side, showing injured passengers and first responders at the scene.
The Philadelphia Fire Department has declared the derailment a “mass casualty incident”.
SEPTA Trenton and Chestnut Hill West service is suspended indefinitely, as is Amtrak service on the NEC between Philadelphia and New York. NJT hasn’t made an announcement suspending the Atlantic City Line, but I assure you it’s also closed west of Pennsauken. (Update 22:01: ACL suspended.)
I will update this post as information comes in.
Update 22:30: Police sources are saying this may have been a collision between the Amtrak and a freight train; it is not yet clear what basis they have for saying this. Freight is a common sight at SHORE, since it acts as the sole gateway for freight rail between South Jersey and the rest of the country, with the exception of the NJT River Line in the off-hours. Conrail Shared Assets stores freight cars in a small yard a short distance from the junction.
Update 23:30: Amtrak reports that 238 passenger and 5 crew were on board. ~50-60 have been taken to local hospitals, another ~15 “walking wounded” are on a SEPTA bus at the scene awaiting transport.
Update 23:45: Mayor Michael Nutter confirms five deaths and six critically injured. 120 firefighters and 200 police responded to the scene.
Update 0:00: CSX confirms that none of its trains collided with anything or were otherwise involved in the derailment of Amtrak 188. SEPTA is saying the Trenton Line will be suspended indefinitely, and they expect that to last throughout the day on Wednesday.
Sic Transit Philadelphia 
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