Fall Tourist Train Vs. Logging Truck

Hytec Oct 11, 2013

  1. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    The log truck was traveling north on US 250 which was down hill to the crossing. I don't recall the hill being especially steep at that location but plenty for a runaway log truck to gain speed. This picture kind of shows a down hill descent to the crossing. The road bears to the right past the crossing.
    http://wboy.images.worldnow.com/images/2888658_G.jpg

    It is level for a ways as the road parallels the river for a couple miles past that point.

    https://maps.google.com/maps?q=38.616485,-79.869599&hl=en&num=1&t=h&z=17
     
  2. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    Cheat Mountain Salamander trains have been cancelled for rest of the year, not a surprise. All other trails, New Tygart Flyer, Durbin Rocket, Castaway Caboose, etc. continue as scheduled.
    http://wvmetronews.com/2013/10/14/future-salamander-train-trips-cancelled-after-accident/

    More tidbits of information I gathered on a statewide radio news show today:
    Lawrence Messina, spokesperson for the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, said the train company has a reputation for safety. “I’ve been told that the engineer, as he was crossing the road, saw the truck approaching and actually tried to speed up to clear the intersection and then, after the collision, the conductor of the train ran a third of a mile to the nearby station to call for help,” he said.

    In the area where the accident happened, there is no cell phone service and it is also a radio quiet zone. Because of the call, emergency responders from Randolph County and Pocahontas County were on scene within 15 minutes of the crash.
     
  3. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    From Trains online Newswire posted this afternoon.....


    Details emerge on West Virginia tourist train collision

    Published: October 14, 2013


    CHEAT BRIDGE, W.Va. – An 18-wheel log truck that failed to stop at a grade crossing on U.S. Route 250 and plowed into the side of the popular Cheat Mountain Salamander tourist train Friday afternoon, leaving the truck driver dead and nearly two-dozen injured, West Virginia emergency authorities say. Cheat Bridge is about 70 miles south of Morgantown.

    The accident took place about 1:30 p.m. Friday in Pocahontas County on Durbin & Greenbrier Valley’s former Western Maryland line between Elkins and Spruce.

    About two dozen injuries were reported to on board passengers, with only five of those injuries being critical. A total of 67 passengers were on board the train.

    The consist was being pulled by a Baltimore & Ohio-painted GP7 No. 6644 and Chesapeake & Ohio-painted F7 No. 7094. The train was headed to Cheat Bridge from Elkins, W.Va., as part of fall foliage passenger excursions through the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River in rural West Virginia.

    Early reports indicate the driver had about 980 feet of roadway visibility as he approached the functioning grade crossing northbound and made no braking effort. The loaded log truck, traveling from Durbin to Elkins impacted the passenger in excess of 60 mph. The grade crossing warning devices were functioning as intended. The preliminary investigation states that railroad crews onboard the train followed operating rules and were not cited for any wrongdoing in the incident.

    Railroad officials could not be reached for comment, however a recording on the railroad's telephone directory refers to the incident as an "out of control logging truck which rammed the Cheat Mountain Salamander while the train was moving through a lighted crossing." Further, the railroad says it will not operate the Salamander for the remainder of the season, but that its other trains will continue to operate.
     

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