Civil Lawsuits Filed Over Arkansas Sightseeing Train Wreck

Two passengers on an excursion train that was struck head-on by another train in northwest Arkansas have filed civil lawsuits against the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.

Corliss Johnson of Rogers and Margaret Harkins of Lowell have filed separate lawsuits against the railroad in connection with the Oct. 16 collision. Fayetteville television station KHOG reports that both Johnson and Harkins say they paid $107 to ride the excursion train for a scenic tour.

Federal investigators say the excursion train stalled on the tracks and was struck head-on by another train that was coming to offer assistance.

The lawsuits both claim that the railroad didn’t properly maintain the trains and tracks. A railroad representative declined to comment on the lawsuits.

The cases are pending in Washington County Circuit Court.