CN Amtrak collision investigators say, as reported by Trains, a Canadian National train struck Amtrak’s City of New Orleans near Memphis on Feb. 22, 2026. The train was making a shove move. It then pulled forward, reversed, and hit the passenger train a second time.

CN Amtrak collision: NTSB says train hit twice
CN Amtrak collision: NTSB says train hit twice

CN Amtrak collision sequence near Memphis

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board describes the incident. Also, it says the collision happened at about 11 a.m. At the same time, as previously covered by Railway Supply, the incident led to minor injuries to two Amtrak employees and two passengers. There were seven crew members and 118 passengers on board.

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The report identifies the Canadian National movement as an Illinois Central train. Meanwhile, investigators said it was traveling about 10 mph at the first impact. Crew members told the NTSB they believed the resistance came from an air brake problem. In addition, they said they moved forward and then reversed again. That second reverse movement caused another, lower-speed impact about three minutes later.

NTSB preliminary report on switching moves

Before the Memphis collision, the Amtrak train had moved past a restricting signal at restricted speed. Then it stopped after its crew saw the CN train. Separately, the freight train had dispatcher permission to carry out switching moves. It consisted of two locomotives and 82 cars.

Those moves involved three steps:

  • setting out 21 cars on Main Track 1;
  • picking up 61 cars at an intermodal yard;
  • recoupling with the 21-car cut.

For example, the train was backing up to pick up its conductor. He had directed the switching moves from the ground. Still, that was when it hit the Amtrak train. The NTSB said all aspects of the incident remain under investigation as it “determines the probable cause with the intent to issue safety recommendations to prevent similar events.”

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