Once in a while we confront the cities or small towns about grade level crossings... you should see some of the excuses they have for not wanting to close grade level crossings....We have a list...email me and Ill send it to you. Bannon ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by choochoo: Although not to proud of it - I will relate a happening by myself. About 40 years ago, I was working as a Locomotive Engineer. I have hit my share of cars, trucks and trespassers. I had taken my 3 year old son for a ride in my pickup. The road I chose to drive on, paralleled th railroad and after about a mile it crossed to the other side and again paralleled the track. The single track runs east and west. the sun is setting and I stop at the crossing,with flashing lights but NO bell, look straight into the sun and see nothing. As I start to move, my son says "choochoo" and I stop - - just in time to watch a "light" engine go over the crossing. I say again, Ive hit more than my share of idiots, but Ive never took for granted they ALL were idiots. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> How true. I've always taken great pride in not assuming the tracks are always clear so I stop, look, listen and live. But, we are not always perfect. I was working for a radio station in Clinton, IL. many years ago. My morning commute took me across the IC line from Gilman to Springfield, IL. at a small town called Chestnut, IL. I would always NOT trust the cross-bucks and lights to do the job of keeping me alive, even though the tracks are not very busy. Well, one morning I wasn't really all that with it and just rolled across the tracks without looking. ZOOM! Right after I get the trunk of my 72 Gran Torino off the tracks, a train wizzes by! It had to miss me by inches! I'm sure the crew was ready to take me out, but I was lucky enough to get missed. I was really mad at myself for quite some time. Now that I think about it, I've had a few run-ins with the IC at their crossings. Just before I was born, my mother was on her way to work in a car pool to Country Companies Insurance, in Bloomington, IL. The car she was in stalled on the Madison Division tracks (now a rails to trails path), the driver got the car restarted and backed off the tracks just as an IC train zoomed by. I almost wasn't born! While in Baton Rouge, LA. My roommate was going to blindly drive across the New Orleans line. I reached my foot across the hump and hit the brakes! ZOOM! An IC freight roars by! He thanked me for saving our lives and promised never to take Railway Crossings for granted again. Food for thought ya'll! ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback
The United States Supreme Court has ruled 7-2 that railroads are not financially liable for injuries and fatalities that occur at highway-rail grade crossings equipped with federally-funded warning devices. "Nothing prevents a state from revisiting the adequacy of devices installed using federal funds," wrote Justice Sandra Day OÕConnor for the Court. "States are free to install more protective devices at such crossings with their own funds or with additional [federal] funding." Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Paul Stevens dissented, writing that "the outcome defies common sense and sound policy." The case came about as the result of a 1993 crossing accident in Gibson County, Tenn., in which a motorist was struck by a Norfolk Southern train. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine.
I just heard a good one ,it didnt happen at a grade level crossing, but in one of our yards... There was a film truck...(they was doin a video shoot) there was a train....truck backs up into the train, he didnt even look on the tracks...Loco was doin about 8kph when he took the truck to school, the truck was demolsihed, and the loco had a tiny weeny scratch on the side. No one was hurt, but the guy driving felt like an idiot...he lost ALOT of money in filming equipment. I got a good laugh outta that one. Have a good day guys... "...and the trainmaster hung his head low as he thought to himself...Loser VS. Train..." ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
I know this is a little off the topic but guess what our railroad moved into the paint shop recently. A former GM&O F3.
Grade Crossings isn't too quiet like someone said on the other topic. Just the other day someone tried to run my little you know what over when I was flagging a crossing.
2 days ago a nice young farmhand decided to buy his boss a new john deere tractor and planter when he ran the crossing in front of our nice big thoroughbred widebody. thank you ge for the wide cab it was truly a lifesaver. after careful inspection after removing myself off the floor, my new dash 9 had all the handrails missing and the brake cylinders ripped off.
Glad to hear you're alright! Next time we get together, fill me in on the details. ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
Well, another to add to the list, but with a twist...A man, (late 30's) steals a red chevy cavalier, Goes to an electronics store, robs it, makes out with almost 2300$ worth of VCR's, police are on his tail, see the crossing signal come down, pounds the ABS , stops on the track, jumps out, runs across, he runs on the other side of the tracks into a field, train totals the car, the police are on the other side, the guy gets away. They didnt catch him ,as for the cavalier and the VCR's. well lets say... Cavalier by Cheverolet, customized by VIA Rail. ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
Well, here are the statistics for 1998- 1998 CANADA Grade Crossings - 22,464 Accidents - 276 Fatalities - 41 Injuries - 42 Anyone here working with Operation Lifesaver? ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
The statistics in the UK would probably be: Grade Crossing accidents - 1 ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
Talking about crossing safety... TRAINS COULD CARRY POLICE Officer would radio to patrols to enforce crossing safety laws - by Steve Wideman, Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent, Thursday, May 18, 2000. Motorists who illegally drive around lowered gates at railraod crossings or ignore flashing warning lights to beat a train could find a squad car on their tail before the blink of an eye. Outagamie County is applying for a state grant that would fund placement of a police officer in the engine of a train, said sheriff's Sgt. Eugene Bunnell, who serves as the department's traffic safety coordinator and as chairman of the county Traffic Safety Committee. "The officer would report crossing violations to two squad cars that would run a parallel route to the train," Bunnell said. Authorities are still working on the details of the plan, such as what crossings to target, and how many trains the officer would ride. The goal is to improve crossing safety and knock Outagamie County from the No.1 ranking as the state's most dangerous county when it comes to vehicle-train accidents, Bunnell said. "We are in the process of applying for the grant from the state Department of Transportation. It's just one of several ideas we are looking at to improve crossing safety," he said. Bunnell was one of several speakers at a press conference Wednesday in the Wisconsin Central Ltd's Appleton yard to mark this week as National Railroad Safety Week. The press conference began less than three hours after an accident between a Wisconsin Central train and a dump truck on McCarthy Road. No one was injured in the accident that occurred about 11:30 a.m. when the trains's engine struck the rear wheels of the dump truck as it crossed the tracks. The accident brings the number of train-vehicle accidents in the county to seven in 2000. "Since 1997, Outagamie County has ranked as a leader among the counties in crossing accidents," said sheriff's Sgt. Michael Heenan. "In 1997, we ranked fifth with five crashes. So far this year we've had seven crashes involving one fatality." Bunnell said a driver cought violating crossing safety laws faces a first time fine of up to $348 and the loss of six points on his or her driver's license. "Those are considered major violations. A second violation could result in a license suspension," he said. Mary Wallenfang, director of claims for Wisconsin Central, said that in addition to the local initiatives, a bill will be coming before the state Legislature strengthening the power of train crews to enforce crossing laws. "The law would give engineers the same power as school bus drivers, who can report a violation based on the description or license number of an offending vehicle," she said. Currently, authorities must identify the driver of a violating vehicle for a ticket to be issued. Under the proposed law, Wallenfang said, the owner of the vehicle will be cited and fined if the driver cannot be found. Submitted by R. Draxler through the MNRail list. Gary. [This message has been edited by Gats (edited 18 May 2000).]
I think that would be a great idea, but just imagine, what do you think the person who lost their license cause they beat a train would do, they would lose it, freak out. Oh well, call it tough love. "Trucks by Ford, customized by VIA" ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
howa' bouta' cattle truck stalling on a grade crossing and a CSX train comes down the tracks at about 55 mph and ... "ROASTed beef by Winn-Dixie...customized by CSX"
MUahahah We have many different sayings and qoutes up here on the board in my office. Some go on like... If you race a train to the crossing, and you tie...you lose. Truck by Ford, Customized by VIA. Loser Vs. Train Im sure we could think up a million, but how good would it go over with the boss lol! <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wt&c: howa' bouta' cattle truck stalling on a grade crossing and a CSX train comes down the tracks at about 55 mph and ... "ROASTed beef by Winn-Dixie...customized by CSX"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
Here's a short poem about semaphore's, I figured you guys might like to read it... BLOCK SIGNALS -Alice Lovett Carson- Guarding the trains that pass out door, Over the track stands the semaphore; Great long arms that move in the air Tell of the safety or danger there; Outward pointing: "A train's gone by." Upward slanting: "No danger nigh." Trainmen, scanning the distance o'er, Glancing on high, Note, as they fly, The signaling, silent semaphore. The semaphore lanterns twinkle and peep; Each great arm has a blinking eye To wink at the trains as they rumble by; Red: "Take care, there is danger near!" Green: "Go ahead, for the track is clear." Trainmen know this color lore, Glancing on high At the winking eye Of the winkety, blinkety, semaphore. Faithful watcher above the rail, Lost were the trains should your signals fail; Passengers slumber in safety so, Knowing the signals tell how to go; Straight or slanting, green light or red, Speaking truly of what's ahead. Trainmen, fearful of fate in store, Glancing on high, Thankfully spy, The cheering, guardian, the semaphore. ------------------ Bannon C Woods Jr VIA Rail Canada
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by makinbaconline: 2 days ago a nice young farmhand decided to buy his boss a new john deere tractor and planter when he ran the crossing in front of our nice big thoroughbred widebody. thank you ge for the wide cab it was truly a lifesaver. after careful inspection after removing myself off the floor, my new dash 9 had all the handrails missing and the brake cylinders ripped off. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You, of course, are assuming the nice young farmhand didn't have to buy the new farm equipment posthumously ------------------ Ship IT on the Frisco! Bob T.
