FAIRVIEW HEUGHTS, Ill.  – An Illinois woman sued Amtrak and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad for a Montana train wreck in which her husband was killed in September. Zach Schneider, 28, and his wife Becca were en route to Portland on Amtrak’s Empire Builder from Chicago via Winona. He was among three fatalities and 50 injured passengers. The damages sought by the widow were not specified in the suit. She too was injured. In an interview Becca Schneider called Zach “a funny, kind, compassionate, intelligent, and beautiful man and an incredible husband, software developer, debate coach, and friend.” The suit names Amtrak, as operator of the train, and BNSF, on whose tracks the wreck occurred.

Earlier: Three dead in Amtrak derailment in Montana

Zach and Becca Schneider. At home before the fateful Amtrak journey.

Anniversary trip

Also killed in the Montana derailment were Don and Margie Varnadoe of St. Simons Island, Georgia. The Varnadoes, ages 74 and 72, were on a trip to Oregon to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.