What's more amazing to you?

[jchnhtfd]

Amen, brothers... I fly, too -- and there are some airports where the dimwits (who've ALWAYS moved in after the airport did!) have actually forced the FAA to mandate traffic patterns in the air which are just plain unsafe, like low-altitude turns and power reductions (try Boston/Logan International and New York'/JFK, for examples). Scary stuff[:(].

But the ones who really blow me away are the ones who manage to get an ordinance passed forbidding whistle signals in the community (yes, there are some) and then rise up in (un)righteous wrath when someone gets nailed by a passing train which they didn't hear...[xx(]

Funny world, isn't it?

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

I'm trying to find a house, duplex that is right next to the tracks! Something that is in rentable shape! So don't have much sympathy for the "winers". I would be the real snowbird sitting in the yard this winter!

Mookie

I too would love to live in a house that's right next to the tracks! I can hear trains from my bedroom at night and I find the sounds of the trains going by quite relaxing and if anything they help me fall asleep faster. I actually saw one of those relaxation tapes somewhere that was of steam locomotive sounds. My advice to these people, if you don't like hearing the trains, buy a house somewhere else!

there is a house in Holgate Ohio youd really like![:)]
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

For those of you who have seen the matrix reloaded, know that i'm about to Quote Agent smith

QUOTE:
Agent Smith, Matrix Reloaded
"I'm Sorry, this is a Dead end."

Thats exacly what their inteligence gets thme, Dewad ends. I feel we could debate the Structural integrity of that womans skull all night long, only to find it was made of match sticks, news paper and peanut shells. But their argument is only going to lead them to a dead end. It really will.. Are they going to move? NO! are they going to complain.. uhh how does thgat song go.. somehting like... "HELL YEAH!".. I often find the people who do least to contribute to the well beaing of scociety, end up being the ones who complain the most.

Guess they sit on their butt all day looking for somehting to complain about.. The train passes by my house (500 yards away) at 55 MPh, honks every morning at the crossing at 6:57.. i call it "The most reliable alarm, ever" I couldn't care less, ACTUALLY i find train horns soothing, like the sounds of the ocean or waterfalls, yet waterfalls make me have to pee alot.. enough about that.. I say they should shut there mouth.

Another vote for Ed.

[ironhorseman]

Let's see, suitable emoticons for this topic would be [:(!][xx(][V][:(] and possibly [}:)]
Here's what I wrote to the TV station:

"I just want to say it's appalling to see a reporter stand between the rails like that. It's illegal, it's dangerous, and it gives the wrong impression that it's okay to stand on the tracks. This reporter has completely ignored everything Operation Lifesaver has been trying to teach over the last 30+ years. I hope this reporter considers his actions on any future reports about railroads and I hope the station does likewise.

"As for the residents: the same story is played out in neighborhoods all across America, it's nothing new. In Parsons, Kansas where I have relatives the Union Pacific has installed horns at every grade level street crossing in town to keep the train horn noise to a minimum. Maybe the city of Richmond should look into this. Harry S Truman once said "If you think you've found something new, you don't know your history." But to think that this issue is something new or unique to the area or to think that anyone can get the railroad to stop blowing their horns is laughable. "

I also sent them the link to Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org)

Here's something else I'm gonna say that may make a lot of people mad so read carefully: I believe Operation Lifesaver's message is not getting out to the right people. I'm not saying they're bad, they're not trying, or anything like that. I know it's hard but most people are either ignorant or oblivious to rail safety. We've been over this topic of rail safety time and time again on these forums and everyone here knows better. But what about the "masses," those non-train enthusiasts? The ones that doen't read the forums, the magazines, that don't have a railnut for a friend?

Most people see a train and don't think anything of it than a mere inconvinence. To them it's just part ot the landscape. And some people still walk on tracks and try to race to the trains. Do you think those people have been to the Operation Lifesaver website? Do you think they even know about Operation Lifesave?

I realize Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization and they can't throw they're money around on advertising all the time, but how is this message going to get out? Besides at railfairs and trainshows Operation Lifesaver tries to reach the schools but I never saw they in the junior high or senior high levels (eg, just about the time kids learn how to drive). Also, you never see this stuff at the universities. They have bulletin boards, kiosks, information desks, and brochure racks but none of that stuff gets filled with rail safety literature.

I suggested to Operation Lifesaver that maybe they try to get their logo on popular websites and news websites. Maybe they can try to get some of those spaces for free.

We could also do our part by putting the Lifesaver link on all our emails and bumper stickers on our cars. This is a suttle way to spread the message with out ramming down people's throats. But how is that going to stop those idiots we still see trespassing and taking risks? We end up right back where we started. Regardless, as long as they (the rail trespassers) keep doing it I'll keep hammering away at the message until everybody complies.

Oh, and if you see someone trespassing don't just stand by while they do it, get over there and tell them what they're doing is wrong and the consequences. You don't have to insult them or humiliate them, they'll be just as embarassed once they noticed they've been caught. Maybe this way we'll prevent future incidents. If you can save at least one person's life it's worth it.

[Mookie]

I am all for Operation Livesaver - but to widen the view - people aren't just stupid around trains. We get them to be more responsible around trains and they will still get killed while driving and talking on their cell phones. You can only protect people to a certain point - after that it is called looking out for # 1! We need to go back to accountability!

Mookie

[Modelcar]

...I'll add another location that people are trying to eliminate Train Horns as they pass through our city...Location: Muncie, In. Two routes pass through and one crosses the other. CSX, ex. Conrail double track east - west line and north - south NS pass right in our city and for several years now the squawking continues to get louder re: make an ordinance to restrict the railroads from blowing their horns at crossings as they pass through and it really sounds like they eventually will get someting done to do just that. Traffic density is rather brisk on both of the lines...especially the CSX line.

[techguy57]

See and thats what really irks me![:(!] "Lets give up safety for convenience! I don't like hearing the train's horn so lets get rid of it." And you know the moment is going to come along when somebody is going to be driving at night talking on their cell phone or watching their DVD player they just had mounted in the front of the car, or maybe even just dog-tired from having to work a double shift and they don't see the train and can't hear it because they aren't paying attention and the hogger can't sound it loud because of some stupid noise restriction ordinance and someone, if not everyone ends up injured, or worse yet someone loses their life, because the guy living in the house 1/2 a mile away finds the train's horn too loud! [xx(] (wow, hopefully no Engli***eachers reading this, that was a nasty run-on sentence!) Then there are lawsuits, probably citing the railroads negligence, all because a couple of people couldn't go to the Walgreens or CVS or Osco and get a box of Nytol to help them go asleep![:(!]

The real problem to these people who are complaining seems to be the matter of convenience. Its inconvenient for them to hear the train horns, the crossing gate bells, the hum of the diesels (all the stuff most of us here get excited about). Its inconvenient for them to get stopped by the train on their way to work, even though its probably delivering the lumber to build his deck.
Now take that same guy, and send him auto shopping for his new SUV. Imagine if there were delays in the freight service that brings parts to the factory that makes the SUV he wants to buy because the trains have to run at reduced speeds because of noise ordinances and related safety precautions. These small delays add up to a larger production delay meaning that his SUV is back ordered for 6 months. He can't drive home his new car and he's mad as hell and he's not gonna take it any more. He'll scream about the car company, and the freight train, and probably tell the whole story to everyone he knows. But if you think about it he is the reason for all those inconveniences. [:0]

Okay so I'm exagerating and getting a bit philosophical, but I think you understand what I'm trying to say. I'm all for convenience and comfort as much as anyone else, but not at the expense of safety. I'm sure that Ed an Joe and most everyone else will agree with that. If only we could teach common sense as a class in schools. Of course there would still be people who'd flunk that.

Okay, I'll climb down from my soapbox now.[:I]

Mike

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jchnhtfd

Amen, brothers... I fly, too -- and there are some airports where the dimwits (who've ALWAYS moved in after the airport did!) have actually forced the FAA to mandate traffic patterns in the air which are just plain unsafe, like low-altitude turns and power reductions (try Boston/Logan International and New York'/JFK, for examples). Scary stuff[:(].

But the ones who really blow me away are the ones who manage to get an ordinance passed forbidding whistle signals in the community (yes, there are some) and then rise up in (un)righteous wrath when someone gets nailed by a passing train which they didn't hear...[xx(]

Funny world, isn't it?

Deep down behind the Orange Curtian in Beautiful Newport Beach where all the rich and priviledged little orangefaced m**********rs live, they pushed thru noise and power reduction limits on airliners flying out of John Wayne Airport and over there locked and gated and patroled little happy dale. Now when a jet leaves it has to go full throttle and pull up at the steepest possible angle when taking off, then immediatly throttle down while still maintaining the steep attack angle so they dont disturb the orangefaces m***********rs and there cocktail parties by actually flying low enough (or safe enough) to distrurb there suburban bliss. Experts have said its only a matter of time before one jets climbs to steep and too slow, that it will stall out and fall backwards onto the happy little locked and gated communities and incinerating all those happy dale homes.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeKoh

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

I'm trying to find a house, duplex that is right next to the tracks! Something that is in rentable shape! So don't have much sympathy for the "winers". I would be the real snowbird sitting in the yard this winter!

Mookie

I too would love to live in a house that's right next to the tracks! I can hear trains from my bedroom at night and I find the sounds of the trains going by quite relaxing and if anything they help me fall asleep faster. I actually saw one of those relaxation tapes somewhere that was of steam locomotive sounds. My advice to these people, if you don't like hearing the trains, buy a house somewhere else!

there is a house in Holgate Ohio youd really like![:)]
stay safe
Joe

Having trouble finding Wyoming - now Ohio?

[Mookie]

I would trade all the cars with loud stereos that vibrate windows and all the motorcycles that think they are on the desert for a motocross that we have on our street for the sound of a train at any hour! Signals, lights whatever. We also have helicopters and that bothers me a little, but only when they fly directly overhead (5 blocks from hospital). But give me a train - even late Amtrak - anytime! Beautiful music!

Mookie

[JoeKoh]

Mookie go east through Iowa Illinois Indiana then you will be in ohio.
stay safe
Joe

[dknelson]

The legal term for this is "coming to the nuisance." That is, under common law a person's lawsuit would be dismissed if the nuisance existed and they arrived afterwards. They could sue (not win, necessarily, but sue) if they were there first. Almost as amazing as the subidivisions being built near railroad tracks are the ones being built right at the edge of freeways. And that explains why you see more and more signs prohibiting trucks from using their "Jake brakes" even though that saves energy.
Dave Nelson

[ironhorseman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by techguy57

See and thats what really irks me![:(!] "Lets give up safety for convenience! I don't like hearing the train's horn so lets get rid of it." And you know the moment is going to come along when somebody is going to be driving at night talking on their cell phone or watching their DVD player they just had mounted in the front of the car, or maybe even just dog-tired from having to work a double shift and they don't see the train and can't hear it because they aren't paying attention and the hogger can't sound it loud because of some stupid noise restriction ordinance and someone, if not everyone ends up injured, or worse yet someone loses their life, because the guy living in the house 1/2 a mile away finds the train's horn too loud! [xx(] (wow, hopefully no Engli***eachers reading this, that was a nasty run-on sentence!) Then there are lawsuits, probably citing the railroads negligence, all because a couple of people couldn't go to the Walgreens or CVS or Osco and get a box of Nytol to help them go asleep![:(!]

The real problem to these people who are complaining seems to be the matter of convenience. Its inconvenient for them to hear the train horns, the crossing gate bells, the hum of the diesels (all the stuff most of us here get excited about). Its inconvenient for them to get stopped by the train on their way to work, even though its probably delivering the lumber to build his deck.
Now take that same guy, and send him auto shopping for his new SUV. Imagine if there were delays in the freight service that brings parts to the factory that makes the SUV he wants to buy because the trains have to run at reduced speeds because of noise ordinances and related safety precautions. These small delays add up to a larger production delay meaning that his SUV is back ordered for 6 months. He can't drive home his new car and he's mad as hell and he's not gonna take it any more. He'll scream about the car company, and the freight train, and probably tell the whole story to everyone he knows. But if you think about it he is the reason for all those inconveniences. [:0]

Okay so I'm exagerating and getting a bit philosophical, but I think you understand what I'm trying to say. I'm all for convenience and comfort as much as anyone else, but not at the expense of safety. I'm sure that Ed an Joe and most everyone else will agree with that. If only we could teach common sense as a class in schools. Of course there would still be people who'd flunk that.

Okay, I'll climb down from my soapbox now.[:I]

Mike

Very well said. Might I add that new cars now-a-days are being sound proofed and shock proof. It's so sound proof you wouldn't even hear bombs exploding, much less someone that honks their horn when you pull out in front of them or even the train horns or crossing bells. And the cars have such great shocks now that you can go over the roughest crossing that ripples wouldn't even be made in your cup of coffee, much less that you wouldn't be aware you were going through a crossing. In the mean time some people crank their CD players up, they don't listen to the radio, then they get upset no one told them there was a traffic jam on the highway coming up or a tornado ripping it's way across the city.

Isn't ignorance just bliss?

Actually, the conditions I just described above only occur in commercials. That sound proof car isn't fool proof and those shock proof shocks wear out in 6 months.

Did anybody see that commercial where two trains stop and wait at the crossing for hours until this one certain SUV comes by? It may be funny, but I know of some people out there that take that seriously and think that trains must wait on THEM, not the other way around.