[goatless]

Multiple fatalities tonight on the Metro-North Harlem Line as the packed rush hour train hits a Jeep that stopped on the tracks. The woman actually got out of the car to see if the crossing gate damaged her car when it came down, then she got back in right before the train got to the crossing.

This hits home on a couple of levels for me- The Harlem Line is the train we take when we go down to the City. A lot of people from this area commute on it every day. Also, my teenage son is about to start driving- this is an awful lesson to NEVER, EVER stop on the tracks! Doesn't matter if it's a slow moving freight line or a high speed commuter train.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...290716911.html

[Chris65LeMans]

Originally Posted by goatless

The woman actually got out of the car to see if the crossing gate damaged her car when it came down, then she got back in right before the train got to the crossing.

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That jumped out at me when I read the story originally. I wonder how some people survive to adulthood the way they lack common sense.

[Ben M.]

Seriously. I NEVER stop on tracks and I even treat non-in-service tracks the same way. The ONLY reason your car should ever be stopped on the tracks is because it broke down and cannot move. I used to watch people stop the train in the San Francisco bay area ALL the time by stopping on tracks, and there was at least one fatality a month if not more.

[Txbobcat]

Once upon a time a new motorcycle cop in Houston was escorting a funeral procession. He saw the train coming about 1/2 mile down the track so he parked his bike on the tracks to be sure they stopped. As it got closer he got off the bike and ran before the impact.

[The Boss]

Darwin wins again.

[goatless]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Darwin wins again.

Unfortunately the stupid woman took at least 6 innocents with her.

[sdbob]

Wow! Better off to talk to a 'jersey' barrier. Stop-Look-Listen.

[2002Z4CSS]

You can't fix stupid.

[goatless]

This line runs through many small towns along it's route to NYC. Many of the crossings are near traffic lights. I suspect that was the case here- the woman stopped for the light on the tracks.
It's shocking to me how often I see people do this. I've even had people honk at me when I stop several car lengths back from the car in front of me, so as to not be inside the gates should they come down while waiting for the light to change.

[David Jones]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Darwin wins again.

Beat me to it........

Why do I think the rail line will have to deal with a lawsuit?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by David Jones

Beat me to it........

Why do I think the rail line will have to deal with a lawsuit?

I'm sure there was a lawyer at the scene within minutes - aren't they considered first responders?

[Alvin]

Yesterday three of my business email accounts were down – unable to send or receive emails for most of the work day. Provider servers are linked in VA, CT & Chicago.

Last time that happened was a train accident in the same general area several years ago that severed the fiber transmission lines. Takes them quite awhile to reroute data traffic and restore service. Back up to full capacity today.

Suspect same occurred with this unfortunate accident; if the “Third Rail” was damaged enough to cause power disruption and fire at the scene of the accident you can bet the Fiber lines that run parallel between the same rails was severely damaged also.

One thing I find odd is the media description “Train Slams into SUV on tracks”

[indymanjoe]

“Train Slams into SUV on tracks”
I guess they think the Train was supposed to swerve...

[Greg Reid]

Stupidity in action-
I work for the transit system here in Atlanta where have a heavy rail system. I was working with a crew of contractors last night testing some train-to-wayside communications equipment. We had a dedicated test train on a dedicated platform which was closed off to the public. All elevators, escalators and stairs, and the train were closed and marked as out of service.
Some IDIOT decided to jump down off the adjacent platform and cross two IN-SERVICE tracks. He crossed two live 750vdc third rails and climbed up on a platform...and that is very difficult to do because of the 4 or 5 foot overhang that gives you a place to shelter yourself in case you get caught down there by an approaching train...The platform hits you shoulder high and there's no place to put your feet when you try to climb up.
Not 2 minutes after he climbed up there, a train rolled in on the platform he climbed up on.
He left there in handcuffs about 1 minute after that.

[69goatboy]

"Never stop on the tracks".

That should be right next to: "Don't spit in the wind" and "Don't tug on Supermans' cape."

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 69goatboy

"Never stop on the tracks".

That should be right next to: "Don't spit in the wind" and "Don't tug on Supermans' cape."

"And you don't pull the mask of that ol' Lone Ranger"
http://youtu.be/YQrTGE4wwwA

[David Jones]

Years ago I worked at the Hercules chemical plant in Bessemer Alabama. Among other things we made dynamite. I worked with a guy named Ronnie Knight. We were about the same age....just over 20. Ronnie's transportation was a late 70's white Trans Am. On his way home from a shift at the plant Ronnie was crossing some tracks on Hwy 150 in Bessemer and managed to get himself hit by a train. Ronnie and the T/A were taken down the tracks a good distance but he was completely unhurt....the T/A died. A few weeks later (Halloween night 1979) Ronnie was operating one of the dynamite mix houses and it shot. He was in it along with thousands of pounds of nitro and ammonium nitrate and other ingredients that go into a stick of dynamite. He apparently realized that there was a problem because what little they found of him was roughly in line with where an exit had been (before the whole mix house and it's bunker were spread all over Jefferson County).
Apparently Ronnie's number was up and he missed the call during the encounter with the train.

I was working that night. What a night.......

[AdamIsAdam]

That's right out of Final Destination. Scary stuff.

As for the train accidents, just the day before I was at a LIRR crossing at night during the snowfall/icy condition and the gates were down a long time with no train coming. My 11 year old son calmly asked if we should go around the gates. "NOOOOOOOOOOO" I explained. NEVER. I said I'll go around the neighborhood if need be to avoid the intersection, but NEVER, EVER go around the gates. (oh, and the train came 2 seconds later, of course)

Oh, and no one mentioned it yet, so I feel the need to state this tip (not that the folks here need this one): If the train is coming and you're stuck on the tracks, GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND RUN TOWARDS THE TRAIN (but not actually ON the tracks, of course ). This was a question on my drivers permit test.

We all know why, right?

[Half-Inch Stud]

holy crap

[GT182]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

holy crap

No... Holy SH!T!

Or ... OH FRAP!