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Cab video of 2006 BNSF wreck at Cactus, TX

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Indianapolis, IN
  • 40 posts
Posted by wiley-dispatcher on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:47 PM
My absolute worst nightmare as a conductor.  Thank the lord I never had to experience something like that.  Even now as a train dispatcher, with FRA mandate E024 I dot every "I" and cross every "T" as far as mainline switches go.  It only takes overlooking one switch to cause something like that.  I work an Amtrak route that goes through dark territory out of Indianapolis to Crawfordsville, and to think of a mainline switch lined from the main into Steel Dynamics, etc.  ..... it just horrifies me to even think of the possibility. It's just something that I will NEVER take for granted because peoples lives are in my hands. 
Be thankful for all that you have.
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 137 posts
Posted by choochoobuff on Monday, May 12, 2008 8:57 PM
That would definitely be a bad day at the office.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Monday, May 12, 2008 4:02 PM

And in that above video.. everyone DID their job correctly.  They were operating at restricted speed and were able to stop before hitting anything. 

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 800 Mi. from Espee Siskiyou line MP. 630.6 Orygun
  • 298 posts
Posted by WP 3020 on Monday, May 12, 2008 3:23 PM
Probably everyone has seen this other video but for those who haven't http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMQ7mHJSiOA  Talk about having to rely on everyone having done their job correctly.
Railroads are "a device of Satan to lead immortal souls to hell." - an Ohio school board, 1831 - quoted in CTC Board 8/05 "If you ever wonder how you have freedom... Think, a veteran!!!" - My thought 1/08 Hey man, I don't have to try to remember the 60's... I lived too close to Eugene, Oregon.
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Monday, May 12, 2008 2:37 PM
That was scary.... wow.  Nothing nice about that, nothing at all. 
"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, May 12, 2008 1:55 PM
2.2 million dollars in damages it could have been 220 million if haz mat had been involved. Grantiville, SC all over.
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Hewitt,TX.
  • 1,088 posts
Posted by videomaker on Sunday, May 11, 2008 9:39 PM
 maaaaan thats scary ! When your just doing your job...
Danny
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 2,535 posts
Posted by KCSfan on Sunday, May 11, 2008 1:02 PM

It was dark territory and there were no signals to be observed only the manual switch stand target which displayed a red board indicating the switch was lined for the siding. Even under ideal conditions it's hard to discern the aspect displayed by a switch target until you're fairly close to it by which time it would be too late to make even an emergency stop from 36 mph. If the sun is in your eyes, foggy, raining or snowing hard You can forget the switch stand cause you aren't going to see it until you're almost at it. It's kind of a crap shoot but you just have to rely on everyone having done their job correctly.

Mark

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Hewitt,TX.
  • 1,088 posts
Posted by videomaker on Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:43 AM

  From my computer,I cant tell what color the siginals at that switch were but it should have showed a red siginal for the siding, warning it was occuppied,RT? 

Danny
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:34 AM
The crew on the local as well as the dispatcher dropped the ball and could have gotten someone killed. I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt or killed. This is the reason I always disliked working in non signaled territory.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 11, 2008 8:27 AM

WOW! Just WOW!!!

I can't even begin to imagine the feeling of horror that must have come over the crew as they realized what was about to happen.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 297 posts
Cab video of 2006 BNSF wreck at Cactus, TX
Posted by Zwingle on Sunday, May 11, 2008 6:50 AM

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