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    Thanks to Ed Cooper, who replied to a forum question I posted, for the following info.

    On October 31, 2000 at 6:15PM local time (MST),  BNSF Train P CHIRIC1 29A rear ended BNSF Train Z ALTLAC9 30A at or near East Bellemont MP354.5. Units wrecked and burned on the P train were BNSF 4499, BNSF 4729, and BNSF 1101 all type C44-9W. The P train being less than 6500 feet and all loads would have been allowed 65 MPH at this location if it could get up to track speed. There is a downgrade (1.42%) and curves from MP 350.5, Riordan (Arizona Divide) to MP 352.6 (the west end of Turpentine Curve). From the end of Turpentine Curve to East Bellemont is slightly less than less 2 miles. There is a curve less than a mile from the tangent into East Bellemont, heavy forest on both sides of the track, darkness, weather all may have played a part in this accident. The Z train may have been stopped at the Bellemont Block at MP 356.3 and with his train hanging back toward East Bellemont. The details are not completely clear to this writer. Several Arizona fans are checking on the exact location of impact. My guess is the block at Riordan was missed or inoperative and the P train was accelerating when it came up on the Z train with too little distance to stop.

    An update to Ed's reply from a different source indicated that no signals were missed. Rather the P train called ahead and talked to a stopped train ahead of the Z train he hit. After getting a location from the first train , the P proceeded ahead. The Z may not have heard the conversation and therefore never chimed in with his location. The P moved ahead, toward a point were he thought the train he was able to communicate with was. Unfortunately the Z was in between.

    One crewman died and 3 others were hurt, one seriously.

    It should be noted that I don't think there has been any official cause from the NTSB to this crash. (as of 9-9-01)