 RR ConductorHappy 40th AmtrakPremium
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA
kudos:1
3 edits | Yet another idiot driver at a RR Crossing »www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=1456
I can tell you from being in the cab at crossings, that crew probably about had a heart attack seeing that (I know I do everytime I watch it), and breathed a HUGE sigh of relief at the end. The driver is VERY lucky to still be alive, and the crew won't have to live with yet another senseless grade crossing death.
Note to people:For your sakes, and the train crew's sakes, DON'T try beating a train! NOTHING, I say NOTHING is worth the risk. |
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| Wow, no gates at a crossing like that? It's possible the driver didn't even know a train was there before he was on top of the tracks.... (Yes, anyone with brains would slow at a non-lit crossing, but people are stupid.)
Close one though. Had he been hit, the cameraman would've gotten it too. |
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 KenPremium,MVM
join:2003-06-16
Brownsburg, IN | said by captokita:It's possible the driver didn't even know a train was there before he was on top of the tracks.... The commentary from the guy running the camera says the truck stopped at the crossing and then took off. I find it highly unlikely that the driver didn't see the train.
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Business: MerrittConstruction.com | Personal: KenMerritt.com | Xbox Live:KENMERRITT COM |
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| said by Ken:The commentary from the guy running the camera says the truck stopped at the crossing and then took off. I find it highly unlikely that the driver didn't see the train. Hmm, ok then. I didn't listen to it, just watched it. It LOOKED as though it just drove right through. If he had stopped first, he's even more of an idiot. |
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KenPremium,MVM
join:2003-06-16
Brownsburg, IN | reply to Ken
I meant the commentary on the page, not in the video. |
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Not to excuse the stupid drivers out there, but any RR company that can't afford to put gates at all their crossings, should not be in business. Hard to imagine multi-million dollar corps not being able to afford gates.
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R.I.P. Moby 1964 - 2007 |
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KenPremium,MVM
join:2003-06-16
Brownsburg, IN
1 edit | Are you serious? I can't imagine the billions of dollars it would cost to put up crossing gates at every crossing. I would bet that 90% of all crossing in the US don't have gates.
Edit: Alright I was wrong, I just looked it up and 80% of crossings don't have gates. |
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 jlhughPremium
join:2001-09-07
Wichita Falls, TX | Its common sense to stop and look. A lot of people don't have that sense. The driver in the video is one of them. Don't blame the lack of gates because of stupid drivers. |
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 burner50Helping Darwin WINPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Cowtown
kudos:1
 ·inmotionhosting
| reply to captokita
said by captokita:It's possible the driver didn't even know a train was there before he was on top of the tracks.... (Yes, anyone with brains would slow at a non-lit crossing, but people are stupid.) Some people have themselves programmed, turn here, stop there... He probably didnt even look.
The presence of gates and or lights is determined by the amount of rail traffic and road traffic at a crossing. If there is only a few trains per week, and just a little traffic at some backwoods crossing then the rr is probably only gonna put up crossbucks.
People that drive around gates in front of me going 70 piss me off... ust because i'm big and heavy doesnt mean i'm not going fast.  |
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 ULTIMA1
join:2005-07-10
New Oxford, PA
1 edit | reply to RR Conductor
1 of the good ones from Top Gear. Showing British rail test on hitting a van with just an engine and how long it takes to stop.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0bagu5gyBE |
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burner50Helping Darwin WINPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Cowtown
kudos:1 Reviews:
·inmotionhosting
| That is a neat video and has been posted several times...
But it doesnt really apply to american railroads as the maority is freight... In that video the train weighed probably 400,000lbs where a fully loaded coal train weighs 39,234,000lbs and takes alot longer to stop. Last time we dumped the air going 50 mph it took nearly 3 miles to stop. |
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 Jodokast96Stupid people really piss me off.Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
kudos:2 | Yeah, doesn't apply one bit. Because a fully loaded freight train would cause so much more damage than the total destruction that single engine did.  Hell, he even inferred that if it takes that much to stop just an engine, imagine what a full load would need. But somehow that doesn't apply because it's in different countries. |
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burner50Helping Darwin WINPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Cowtown
kudos:1 Reviews:
·inmotionhosting
| I dont know what your problem is with me, but i was inferring that there is shorter passenger trains in europe mostly and mostly large heavy freight here in america.
And yes a loaded freight train dragging a car an extra couple of miles would cause alot more destruction...
go troll elsewhere... |
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RR ConductorHappy 40th AmtrakPremium
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA
kudos:1
4 edits | reply to Shadow01
said by Shadow01:Not to excuse the stupid drivers out there, but any RR company that can't afford to put gates at all their crossings, should not be in business. Hard to imagine multi-million dollar corps not being able to afford gates. It would cost BILLIONS, and many times the railroads will offer to help close or put a crossing above or below grade, but communities often don't want to help out at all. They have closed many crossings, and put still more above or below grade, but there's simply no way for them to do it by themselves, it takes funding from the public sector as well.
Operation Lifesaver is one group working to make crossings safer, and to educate the public-
»www.oli.org/
They released some good tips for winter crossing safety-
"Rail Safety Tips for Winter Travel
1. Slow down. Winter weather hampers vision for pedestrians and drivers. Snow-covered roads, tracks and parking lots can spell disaster.
2. Focus your attention. Keep your eyes on the road. Hang up your phone, remove earphones, turn down your personal music, and don’t text message while driving or walking near tracks.
3. Look and listen for the train. Move your head to see around mirrors, windshields, pillars, despite wearing heavy clothing. Snow can muffle the sound of an approaching train. Crack the window, lower the sound of the radio and heater.
4. Take braking precautions. Wear non-slip footwear when crossing tracks. If you have anti-lock brakes on your car, don’t pump them, use firm pressure. In older vehicles, pump the brake going into a slide to help regain control.
5. Stop 15 feet from crossing. If you see or hear a train, stop 15 feet from the crossing (one car length), whether on foot or in a vehicle.
6. Mind lights and controls at the railroad crossing. If the signals appear to be malfunctioning, call the railroad at the 1-800 number listed at or near the crossing. Don’t cross until you’ve checked for a second train or the gate is in an upright position.
7. If stuck, get out! If your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, quickly exit the vehicle and move away from the track. Notify law enforcement or the railroad of your vehicle’s location. Report the DOT number at the crossing and street names"
Sad story about talking on the phone, a man was recently killed in the Bay Area by an Amtrak train while...you guessed it, talking on his phone and not paying any attention to where he was.
"(12-05) 17:02 PST SAN LEANDRO - A pedestrian apparently absorbed in a cell phone call was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in San Leandro today after he walked around a lowered crossing gate and onto the tracks, authorities said.
The victim, a man who was not immediately identified, was struck at 12:30 p.m. by a northbound Capitol Corridor train at the Alvarado Street crossing, about 8 miles south of the Oakland station, Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham said.
None of the 20 passengers or crew aboard the train was injured. That train and two others were delayed and another Capitol Corridor train was cancelled, Graham said.
Crew members aboard the Sacramento-bound train told authorities they saw the victim talking on the cell phone before he was struck, Graham said. The warning lights and gates at the crossing were functioning properly, she added.
E-mail Steve Rubenstein at srubenstein@sfchronicle.com. "
»www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c···OVO7.DTL
The sad thing is, in accidents like that there are more than just the public victim/s, that train crew has to live with that scene for the rest of their lives, they know it's not their fault, but it still hurts to know somebody died needlessly. It is extremely traumatic, and there are support groups to help crews that have gone through those situations. So, if you don't care about your own life, at least think about the crews, and their families.
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»www.gorail.org
See MAJOR freight&passenger action@ the Galesburg, IL RailCam! »205.245.189.161:1100/
My soon to be employer,as an Asst.Conductor-
»www.amtrak.com
»www.modocrailroadacademy.com -Grad,Class of 2-07,woohoo! |
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 JeffreyWilpon please sell the MetsPremium
join:2002-12-24
Long Island
kudos:3
 ·Vonage
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to burner50
said by burner50:said by captokita:It's possible the driver didn't even know a train was there before he was on top of the tracks.... (Yes, anyone with brains would slow at a non-lit crossing, but people are stupid.) Some people have themselves programmed, turn here, stop there... He probably didnt even look. The presence of gates and or lights is determined by the amount of rail traffic and road traffic at a crossing. If there is only a few trains per week, and just a little traffic at some backwoods crossing then the rr is probably only gonna put up crossbucks. I have to jump in here. Around these parts, we have MANY grade crossings, but I have not ever seen a set of tracks around here with a grade crossing that DOES NOT have gates.
Since I'm from these parts, I'm programmed only to stop when I see the gates or flashing red. I'm sure in my travels across the northeast and mid-atlantic that I have blown over tracks without stopping (or looking), simply because I'm used to seeing gates.
So, for some people, they might be programmed to stop and look. Other people, depending on where they are from, may not be.
--
And so castles made of sand, slip into the sea, eventually.
I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing. |
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burner50Helping Darwin WINPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Cowtown
kudos:1 Reviews:
·inmotionhosting
| said by Jeffrey:said by burner50:said by captokita:It's possible the driver didn't even know a train was there before he was on top of the tracks.... (Yes, anyone with brains would slow at a non-lit crossing, but people are stupid.) Some people have themselves programmed, turn here, stop there... He probably didnt even look. The presence of gates and or lights is determined by the amount of rail traffic and road traffic at a crossing. If there is only a few trains per week, and just a little traffic at some backwoods crossing then the rr is probably only gonna put up crossbucks. I have to jump in here. Around these parts, we have MANY grade crossings, but I have not ever seen a set of tracks around here with a grade crossing that DOES NOT have gates. Since I'm from these parts, I'm programmed only to stop when I see the gates or flashing red. I'm sure in my travels across the northeast and mid-atlantic that I have blown over tracks without stopping (or looking), simply because I'm used to seeing gates. So, for some people, they might be programmed to stop and look. Other people, depending on where they are from, may not be. They are there. And many if not MOST do not have gates OR lights... Only major crossings have gates and busy roads get lights...
Like I said it depends on the area, track speed, and amount of vehicle or pedestrian traffic at the crossing...
PS - I am in the Midwest where the population is not nearly as dense as the Northeast. |
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JeffreyWilpon please sell the MetsPremium
join:2002-12-24
Long Island
kudos:3 Reviews:
·Vonage
·Optimum Online
| said by burner50:They are there. And many if not MOST do not have gates OR lights... Only major crossings have gates and busy roads get lights... Like I said it depends on the area, track speed, and amount of vehicle or pedestrian traffic at the crossing... PS - I am in the Midwest where the population is not nearly as dense as the Northeast. I don't doubt they are there, I just don't think any exist on Long Island, where I spend 95% of my time. Every grade crossing around here - even on roads that have traffic only in the daytime - have gates.
When the power goes out, it's interesting. The gates are programmed to go down when the power goes out, so then cops at every grade crossing show up to guide cars around the tracks, steering clear of the electric, diesel, and dual-mode trains that come through.
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And so castles made of sand, slip into the sea, eventually.
I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing. |
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burner50Helping Darwin WINPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Cowtown
kudos:1 Reviews:
·inmotionhosting
| hehe
sucks to be them... I dont think that would happen around here, but until the power is restored EVERY train has to stop at EVERY crossing with malfunctioning lights/gates and protect the crossing before proceeding.
What kind of trains do you see there? Electric, Diesel, and Dual mode?
I'm curious to know about the dual mode trains... Pictures maybe? |
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Jodokast96Stupid people really piss me off.Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
kudos:2
1 edit | reply to burner50
No problem with you at all. But how much more destroyed do you really expect the car get, and would it really make any difference? A single engine creamed it. It doesn't matter whether there are bigger trains here or not. Train vs. car, there is no more car. Size means jack. And you can take your trolling comments and shove 'em. Grow a set and don't cry just because someone may have disagreed with you. |
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burner50Helping Darwin WINPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Cowtown
kudos:1 Reviews:
·inmotionhosting
| said by Jodokast96:But how much more destroyed do you really expect the car get, and would really make any difference? Have you ever seen it happen? well I have... And trust me It is different. In that video you could still tell it was a car. Last one I SAW you couldnt tell what it was. Or the worst part you couldnt tell if there was still anybody (or parts of anybody) IN IT. |
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