Yeah, right. Makes good press but he probably was not doing it for his health. Probably a broken air hose or something like that. The media loves to make statements like that without getting all the facts.
I'd bet he wasn't "taking what can best be described as a casual walk down the length of the train for no particular purpose." Most crews I know don't ever volunteer to walk their trains for the fun of it. I'd kind of doubt too that "...the engineer of the train, who is identified only as "Doe," intentionally blocked the intersection..." for no reason. We only get one side of the story from the published article.
Have to visit the area again, but it could have also been a red signal that was stopped for. And whether or not there was another train ahead that had stopped also. Also agree, that without the facts, it's hard to say what the real situation was. Intentional, as claimed? Personally, I doubt that seriously. I've seen a few backed up, headed south, while waiting for a run of 3-4 northbound trains. Single track from Palmer Lake to Crews or Kelker, 15 miles to the south. If the town doesn't like it, why don't they build an underpass under the track instead? Above based on personal experience through the area in the past.
That "article" is definitely only one side. And seems speculative as to any actual events. Boxcab E50
I thought that grade crossings weren't supposed to be blocked for more than about 10 or 15 minutes. The article is not very good. It looks like a doctored up press release from the Renaissance Festival's point of view. It is certainly NOT good court reporting. I somehow doubt that any BNSF engineer would just stop for no reason and go for a walk. Adam
I agree. Clearly someone is trying to help daylight the Fair's gripe. I will say that some things of importance are listed: There is only one way for emergency vehicles in and out and the single entry can cause lots of highway backup for WHATEVER reason. The folks in Larkspur should look at the incident as a life-saver because this issue has now been raised. Either they need a new location for the Fair OR they need to invest in alternate ways in and an underpass on the single road. As for the lawsuit...frivolous comes to mind. No court in the world will support it, especially when BNSF comes forward with the REAL reason for stoipping the train (i.e. a safety issue that could have caused death, severe injury and/or millions in damage if there was a wreck). So, a positive note and tone should be taken: fix the entryway to the Fair so everyone stays safe and happy John
Keith- It could have been a red signal, but I doubt it. From the Perry Park Blvd crossing to the next signal, it is 7,200 feet. BNSF runs them long, but I don't think they are quite that long. And if they were, the engineer would have almost certainly continued past the red signal at restricted speed until catching up to the hind end of the next southbound. Sounds to me like the train probably went into emergency and it had to be walked. I highly doubt the folks at the Renaissance Festival (or the folks at Channel 2 for that matter) understand what that means or why walking the train has to be done.
There are many hardworking journalists, but there are, perhaps, even more who basically re-formulate press releases and don't do any of their own basic research. I can't understand why anyone would commit something to print (or broadcast it) with their byline without at least checking the basic facts, but then "checking the facts" has fallen out of fashion these last several years, take for instance our current situ- <WHOOOP WHOOOP - warning! Warning! SteamDonkey74 on verge of lapsing into rant on society and politics! WHOOOP WHOOOP! Rest of transmission has been deleted by self-editor>
I doubt that it was the engineer who was inspecting the train. I only know of engineers(me included)ever leaving the cab enroute except while in a siding and then only to catch some air or stretch ones legs. CT
Seems to me, that the reporting is directly from statements in the court documents. The news report is only repeating what is contained in those documents. It seems as though the complaint has been aired, but the response has yet to be disseminated.......
My guess is that the hogger saw this and stopped the train for a better look. http://www.ronjo.com/page/C/PROD/71471805662 :thumbs_up:
lol!!! It is all becoming very clear now:teeth:. Seriously though, trains do NOT just stop for no apparent reason. I stop for food but ALWAYS make sure to not block crossings. My guess is an air hose or a knuckle is the reason the CONDUCTOR was walking the train. It always kills me how the media portrays railroads. Every time I hit a car the paper reads, "Train slams into car". They never mention the effects it has on the train crews and they try every way to make it seem like my fault. How stupid do you have to be to get hit by a train? It is by far the easiest thing to avoid while driving. The funniest one was after a lady got out of her car she told the police officer, "I was not on those tracks, officer, I was NOT on those tracks!!!" I just looked at the officer laughing and said, "Yeah I swerved and hit her!"
SteamDonkey 74 has it exactly right. There are no reporters anymore, re-publishers of press releases perhaps would be more accurate. The extent of their work seems to be (on some occassions) checking to make certain that the release in fact came from some pressure group.
