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April 24, 2002
SANFORD -- An Amtrak Auto Train rolled out of a Central Florida station Tuesday en route to Washington, returning to the rails for the first time since a derailment five days ago killed four and injured more than 150.
At least six passengers from the derailed train were aboard for Tuesday's northbound run.
The train left about 15 minutes later than its scheduled 4 p.m. departure because workers had to repair a shower.
A southbound train was leaving Auto Train's northern terminus at Lorton, Va., about the same time. They are expected to reach their destinations at 8:30 a.m. today, making no station stops along the way.
Thursday's derailment in Crescent City, about an hour into the trip, was of a northbound train. It was carrying 418 passengers and 34 crew members, as well as 200 automobiles in 23 specially designed cars.
Passengers driving up to the station Tuesday passed the battered, windowless rail cars involved in the derailment.
Leo Eisenstein, 80, who was in the wreck, admitted being a little nervous Tuesday about getting on the train again. He suffered bruises when he was thrown around in his car as it left the rails.
"I think it's going to be a very safe trip," said Betty Ripley, 87, of Keene, N.H. "They'll be as careful as they can be."
The National Transportation Safety Board is focusing on a misaligned track as the possible cause of the derailment.
Tuesday's train had 363 ticketed passengers and 24 crew members, said Sharon Mahoney, the Auto Train's general manager.