Railroad concern for crossing safety

[wabash1]

It is not worth anyones time to argue with this guy as he has answered all the questions. Yes he has. in court the judge tells you to make your decision on facts. IN his last post hes affirmed the statement that he assumed that the driver should have been given the right to be able to see how fast the train was comming by cutting the brush, they already let you know that the train could be seen. but not knowing how fast it was going couse this driver ( a teenager from what i gather) to make the bad decision and try and beat the train. if the brush was cut then he coould have made a better decision along with other people to break the law and beat the train. make it easier to break the law. I cheer for the railroad as it is not their responsibility to help people break the law and help them get killed. i have yet to hear one shread of evidence that the railroad is at fault. I am sorry that you fell into the legal system way of brain washing and that they still have you in this state of mind. you are to assume nothing and with this you convicted a inocent party. if you see a train you stop and wait not guess how fast its going so you can beat it. engines are over 20ft high these must have been some monster bushes with a head light and 2 ditch lights. ok now lets look at your side a minute. if the brush was cut then the person could have made a guess as to how fast the train is going, if this is in a curve its easier than straight on. i still cant see where the driver is inocent. and sinse he/she is dead cant come here and defend the actions they made. as far as i am concerned we proved our case and court is now closed

[Anonymous]

Hello gdcwcc,

I have this afternoon brought your posting (and the postings of others who are rightly concerned as to the nasty timbre this topic has taken) to the attention of Tom Chmielewski, editor of Trains.com (and the guy who OKs my checks). He is taking the proper steps to deal with it.

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com

[Anonymous]

Mike, You keep pointing out that the RR's can do something to the crossings, as pointed out countless times, It's not there's to mess with! the city owns it! any thing to do with it has to be taken up with the city. I can't come to your house and steal your front door, can I? so why would the RR be able to tamper with the cities crossing?? Also, Please instead of pointing out that web site you keep pointing out, Point out some valid changes that could be made, Explain to us how the crossings could be safer, what the RR can do. Do you want trains to slow to 15mph to go cross crossings? it don't matter! it's unsafe at any speed!! the train WILL go thru the crossing, it's upto the city to protect the crossing! You claim operation lifesaver is a joke, Well guess again, my friend, you think the railroads do it to make money? OL makes no money! it's to tell the public the dangers of action stupid at crossings!, Also explain how Stop Look and Listen don't work? I'd like to know, Safety first & commen sense is all it takes, and sure there's unavoidable accidents, car stalls on tracks, etc. Buy again, how is it the rr's fault??? is it up to them to make sure your cars up to par, or make sure you know how to drive a stick shift with out stalling? I don't get it Mike, Call me stupid or something, I don't see how it's the RR's fault, And I have sat and watched RR crossings on one of the most active tracks on the east coast, the CSX riverline, People are stupid, they try anything to get past a crossing, It's down for a reason! tell'em mike! tell'em! they dont know! oh wait.. That's Operation lifesavers job, whice you say is a fake. please mike, clarify here, I'll wait for your response. Thank you.

And for the record, I am currently not emplyed by any RR, I'm a stupid high school drop out ( I can't be that dumb, I know enough to stop at crossings), living at home, that like's RR stuff. have a great day

[Anonymous]

Thank you. gdc

[cabforward]

**having read another of your 'communiques', i have to say it was marginally coherent and virtual gibberish.. you asked two questions which were interesting: one was about self-preservation, the other suicidal tendencies on the driver's part.. i dont see how anyone could assume anything about the state of mind of someone who is attempting to cross in front of a speeding train before the train makes the crossing.. i see only 5 possibilities: intoxication; on'drugs'; suicidal tendencies; anger directed at the railroad; lack of ability in recognizing the proximity of a life-threatening situation.

none of these indicate the presence of a rational, functioning intellect. maybe you could investigate the cases of people who survive these encounters and report to us on what these people were thinking ( i use the term loosely ) when they regained conciousness, or, if uninjured, what reason did they give when they were cited for disregarding the BELLS, LIGHTS, GATES, and OTHER TRAFFIC stopped on both sides of the track(s)..

i began reading this forum only recently, but this must be the longest thread ever in this entire forum, all over whether engine drivers should find some way to give crossing violators a second chnce at life, so they can break traffic laws elsewhere and kill innocent persons at a later date.. INCREDIBLE!!

how can there be controversy
about approaching a r.r. crossing; making a full, complete stop; looking both ways; listening for horns and bells; proceeding when it s safe to do so..?? many trucks and buses are posted with signs at the rear: this vehicle stops at all r.r. crossings.. if they can do it, why can't everyone?

mr. mike: if you have a problem with the way crossings are protected, why don't you drop this forum and write letters to local, state and federal agencies and get them to enforce old laws or write new ones? you wont change any minds here..we know what we believe..what do you believe? would you stop harassing contributors to this forum and do something about the 'problem' which plagues you so terribly, but noone else? you've had your 15 minutes, so leave us and work your mission somewhere else..we've heard your points, 6 times, at least.. we get it, o.k.? via con dios! if you make any news, we'll read it in the papers.

[edblysard]

Hi Train,
Read your reply, agree, Read my post, 1/3/03 @1:36am on the posting titled railroaders ideas on improving crossing safety, and let me know if you agree..
Ed

[Anonymous]

No problem, buddy. I whole heartedly agree with you. Mike is off of his rocker! His opinion sounds exactly like what an attorney would say in court, exhagerating (? spelling), fabricating and twisting facts. If somebody were standing in front of me spouting that crap to me, I guarentee that I probably would hit them in the mouth. I am proud of what I do for a living and we are professionals.
Ken

[Anonymous]

You certianly sound like a professional. Professional wrestler maybe. But that is about par for the course when you have people worked to death and brainwashed at the same time. I think Tom needs to redirect his attitude to a bunch of foul mouthed railroaders who can't handle the truth. Wake up guys
Mike

[csxns]

Mike you are talking about my brothers.Past Present Future Railroaders.Mike where would the good ole USA be right now without RAILROADS.

[Anonymous]

GE vs. EMD anyone? Mike's just not going to get it! Just kidding about that first part.

[Anonymous]

Per the request of the Admin, very helpfull Editors at Kalmbach, Ed (my NEW hero!!) and all fellow railfains this will be my last response and I hope there will be no more for this thread.
We had some....well...intersting conversations. And now it becomes time to stop passing off who's to be blamed, but how can we make X-ngs safer!

Thanks again to those who helped each other keep leavel heads on a HOT and very personal debate. Most of us do not agree with Mikes opinion. At least we all belive that these crashes can still be prevented.....how is still another story.

Keep a clear cool head, And have a SAFE and happy new year...Icemanmike-Milwaukee

[Anonymous]

Mike, I have heard just about enough of your crap! We are brainwashed? huh? What do you think happens at work for us? A company sponsored rally and subliminal message laden safety meeting. Let me tell you something. You can bet your sweet *** that we are professionals! I take my job and safety (us and the public) very seriousely. Funny thing about your approach to your so called "truth." It doesn't hold water with me.
I've got a little story for you. Two days ago we are approaching a grade crossing (gated). We are shoving, I'm on the point protecting the movement. I'm in constant radio contact with the engineer giving car counts to the crossing. One guy speeds up to make it when he sees us coming (in a sedan) annother guy stops and decides that he is gonna make a run for it. Guess what he was driving. Yeah, he was driving a tandem axle fuel delivery truck. He barely makes it across. The crossing arm missed the back of the tank by 2 or 3 feet. If you think that is close, the car behind him decided that he should go as well. He had to swerve to miss the second gate and nearly rear ended the fuel truck. I got a bad feeling about 5 car lengths away and radioed for the engineer to plug it. I knew that one of those idiots were gonna make a run for it. We were going maybe 10 mph and had a short cut of cars, luckily. Now tell me about us bad guys. The crossing was gated, had bells, broad daylight, c'mon Mike. You and your "Ultra hazardous," crossings. Yeah right. Maybe Ultra hazardous for us idiots that have to be on the point of a shove like sitting ducks waiting to get smashed. This crap happens every day. I was complaining to the engineer about this and he said that was nothing. He has seen cars/ trucks go through the second set of arms breaking the crossing arm, not just one time. You know that plugging a train can and has resulted in derailment. When I have to do things like that because of people that think that their time is more valuable than their or my life, I get pissed. Now what do you suggest for my little girl or mom and dad if I were to get smashed because of somebody that thought that their time was more important than my life? By the way, this has happened more than once to me. Maybe you don't want to know the "truth."

[Anonymous]

Rock on Train, rock on! Couldn't have said it better myself!
Ken

[Anonymous]

expected response

[csxengineer98]

after reading most of this thread, i just had to put a few of my words in. YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN GOING DOWN THE RAILS, HAVE A WOMAN..ON A CELL PHONE PULL OUT IN FROUNT OF YOU....WITH 2 KIDS IN THE BACK WAVING AT YOU WITH SMILES ON THIER FACES!!!!!! I MISSED THEM, BUT JUST!!!! she never stoped, looked or anything... just motored around the gates talking away... only to look up at me as im blowing the horn... in shock as if i shouldnt have been thier!!!! i will never forget that day... it was bad enougth that she didnt have any care for her own life..but to see the kids in the back seats.... makes your heart stop... as for opporation life saver...anything that will educate the public about rail road safty..im all for.... god knows we have a country full of stupid people.... and people like you...the will find an engineer at fult make me sick.... its not like we can stear the train to hit the car...or to avoid it for that fact.... a train takes over a mile to stop sometimes longer depending on some outside forces..a car only needs a few feet if they came up to a rr crossing preparing to stop anyways.... people like you are that think it should be someone elses fult...lets blame the rest of the world becouse im stupid are the people that kill me!!!! lets put the blame where it realy belongs... on stupid people...and the people that suport the "lets blame eveyone else" additude... and besides....if you are so bent on wanting crossing made beter...lets start by taking your pay checks.... becouse from what you want to do...thats what you want to do to mine!!!! take my livly hood and pay away so the stupid no brained mindless drowns can drive thier cars around and never have to take any real responsibilty for thier actions!!!!!!!!!!!!
csx engineer!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Hello Mike--May I respectfully point out that your expeience as a juror involves but ONE crossing incident. Imo, to say that one experience reflects all "truth" is stretching things too far. Also, you did not state the facts of the case--you only presented your OPINION. Without you giving us more facts, I think you came down much too hard on the RR industry.

Could a railroad/locomotive engineer be at fault when a motor vehicle is struck at a crossing? Of course such a thing is POSSIBLE. BUT after reading a few posts on this topic, plus having viewed various news broadcasts as well as one of Railroad Videos' cab rides (Amtrak trip from Philly to Pgh on the old Pnnsy main), my opinion is that for the engineer or RR to be at fault is EXTREMELY RARE!

When I was a little boy I learned to "Stop, Look & Listen" at all RR X-ings. (Maybe the schools don't teach that anymore.) I also figured out that if there is more than one track at a x-ing, after a train passes you do not move across until the train is far enough down the track to let you see if a train is coming towards the x-ing on one of the other tracks.

My "hardened position" is that 99-plus% of the time, a grade crossing accident is the fault of the auto driver or pedestrian, or perhaps the municipality for not improving the roadway or paying to improve signalling or install an overpass or underpass, NOT the RR engineer or the RR Company.

If crossings need to be improved, and the RR was there first, most if not all of the cost should be paid for by the taxpayers. And that's not intended as "socialism" btw--it is simple fairness. After all, gasoline taxes and auto registration fees are supposed to pay for roads. If not, the problem is that the taxpayers are not paying enough attention to how governments spend our money!

One final point: I read a suggestion some years ago that instead of using flashing red lights at grade x-ings, the traffic signal should show a solid red light, like a regular traffic signal.

To motorists, a flashing red light means STOP, THEN GO if there is no cross traffic. The idea of a solid red light makes sense to me, and I'm curious why we still have the traditional flashing red lights.

If you want to make a positive contribution to grade x-ing safety, why not push Operation Lifesaver and state governments & the Congress to adopt laws requiring solid red lights? I think that would really help a lot more than bashing the RR industry.

[mccannt]

To those of you who think that the railroads don't give a damn about grade crossing safety, guess again...

There is probably no group of people who care more about grade crossing safety than railroaders. These are the men and women who have to live (and sometimes die) with the consequences of colliding with someone or something that should not be on the tracks.

Ask Amtrak engineer Billy Parker about what he thought in the seconds before his Miami-bound streamliner sliced into a fully-loaded gasoline tanker at a Fort Lauderdale grade crossing in 1993. The stupidity of the driver in placing his big rig squarely in the path of a train not only cost him his life, but also those of five other motorists whose only mistake was being within the spread of the massive fireball resulting from the tanker's explosion.

Ask the engineer of the City of New Orleans that collided with a semi-trailer loaded with steel at a Bourbonnais, Ill. grade crossings on the evening of March 15, 1999. Subsequent reports showed that the trucker went around the lowered crossing gates. The train engineer didn't kill the 11 people who died in the lead sleeper, that trucker did.

Ask the engineer of the Chicago-bound Metra commuter train that collided with a school bus at a grade crossing in Fox River Grove, Ill. That engineer applied his emergency braking systems as soon as he saw the bus fouling the tracks...but how quickly can you stop a train traveling at 70 mph?

Ask the BNSF engineer whose collision with a motor vehicle in Culver, Ore. resulted in the death of a mother and three of her four children. He didn't place that vehicle in the path of the train...but he has to live with the tragic consequences every day for the rest of his life.

As an Operation Lifesaver presenter and area coordinator, I work with railroaders regularly. I hear them talk about collisions and near misses. I hear the concern in their voices and see it in their eyes and their body language. You cannot convince me that railroads, and the men and women who work for them, care little or nothing about grade crossing safety.

[Anonymous]

Let's see OLI guy. The crossing in Florida has 55,000 vehicles a day and the train approaches at 60 mph just asking for trouble. Ask the employees that hit another truck in 2000 at the same crossing.

Ask the crossing equipment experts who say the NTSB completely covered up the gate failure in Bourbonnais. The state of Illinois found the gates failed. The train engineer didn't see the truck go around. The only person that said the truck went around was the track supervisor who now has a kush job with the signal company.

Fox River was caused by the crossing lights not being interconnected with the traffic lights and the bus was trapped which 3 or 4 people a month get caught in the same trap.

The one in Oregon ---Wasn't that where the fire chief showed up and it was his family. The train was going full steam ahead with the approaches to every crossing in the state iced up. Like how hard could it be to take a maintenance truck and blow out some cinders or sand BEFORE the train comes through. They turned around and killed more people the next winter the same way.

So your new message should be "WHERE THE HELL IS THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT!!"

[Anonymous]

Reply to Missouri.

Yours is another rhetorical distraction.

1. Your argument for the Florida crossing seems to be that traffic volume has some bearing upon right-of-way. This is false. Federal law dictates that maritime traffic has precedence over land-based traffic, and railroads have priority over other land-based vehicles for obvious reasons of control. Just ask people stopped in Chicago at one of the many lift bridges for barges through the middle of the city, even for some guy in his sailboat!

The approach circuits for crossings are speed-based, so that a minimum of 20 seconds must elapse before the train enters the crossing, whether it is 60 mph or 15 mph. Most railroads exceed this minimum. Stats on crossing accidents are used by states to upgrade rail crossings. So what you are really saying is that Florida isn't doing their job. Good for you!

2. Regardless of an NTSB cover-up in Bourbonnais (yet more conspiracy theories), even if the gates had failed, all gated tracks have flashing lights as a safety redundancy. If by chance you are claiming that the entire crossing circuit failed, realize that crossings have failsafes so that even if the electricity was cut, battery back-up automatically TURNS ON the crossing lights.

3. Failure to interconnect traffic signals is not a failure of the railroad, but of the municipal government which changed the traffic patterns.

4. Regarding the Oregon case: had the crossings been "iced up" as you claim, general track warrant orders would be issued to train crews for the simple reason: a) track circuits would fail to operate properly, under which case the train must stop before all crossings and operate the length of the line at restricted speed, and b) "iced up" crossings cause flange blockage which can derail a train. I suspect what you really mean to say is that severe weather made conditions hazardous, but we might very well ask why extra caution was not taken by the drivers of the cars, since conditions for the track vs. the road might have been drastically different (snow melts faster on steel rails because of ambient temperatures). Additionally, road engines have automatic sander activation whenever the locomotive bell is activated (along with the horn), so your argument about providing traction for braking is simply moot.

I can think of at least one instance where crossing equipment (grandfathered under Federal law) was not upgraded to updated newer safety standards because the State admitted that not enough grade-crossing accidents had occurred at the crossing to justify the expediture. Which means that enough people were smart enough to stop for the train without having to install extra traffic restrictions, and that the State considered safety sufficient over cost.

And in NS v. Shanklin, the Supreme Court decision was that the State accepts responsibility for grade-crossing safety devices as setting the threshold for safety of particular crossings (with no liability to the railroad), even if those devices (as installed with Federal funding) are regarded as insufficient under Federal MUTCD guidelines.

The best to all of you.

[JoeKoh]

gobard
stop look listen and live.its that simple.missouri doesn't get it.
welcome to the forum
stay safe
joe

[mudchicken]

We seem to be stuck with the brainwashed M&M boys. Refuse to have a war of wits with the two clearly unarmed (and clearly emotionally altered) individuals. Just tell them to GO AWAY! and go back to sucking-up to their ambulance chasing cronies. Their warped agenda isn't ("ain't" for their benefit) going to fly here.

[mnwestern]

As a newspaper reporter, I've covered several grade crossing accidents, and not once was it the railroad's fault, as much as some of the driver's would have liked it to be. I once was covering the grand opening of a new short line in our area. This was about three weeks our state passed a stiffer grade crossing law requiring drivers to stop when ever the lights were flashing or a locomotive was present. Well, one of the honored guests was a top state railroad official who had been head of the FRA. In remarks that preceeded the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon, he commented on the new law. Then, as we all watched as the new railroad's locomotive came downtown the tracks at 10-15 mph, car after car sped up to beat it to the crossing, breaking the new, well-publicized law right in front of 400 people. The last one crossed when it was just a locomotive length or less from the train.
Another time, a pregnant woman drove into the side of a locomotive from the same railroad at a well-signaled crossing on a major highway where you can see a half mile in either direction if you bother to look. The problem, she apparently was still accelerating to illegal speed after having had to stop less than a quarter mile away just before the crash at a four-way stop with another major highway. Must have been trying to make up time.
A third time, a woman in a car at a rural county blacktop got hit by the switcher of another shortline where the tracks restricted train speeds to 10 mph or less. The highway limit is 40 mph at that point. You can see the train at least a couple hundred yards in each direction. That train could not have covered that distance very fast, giving her plenty of time to see it. Apparently, she was speeding (probably going 55-60 in a 40 zone) and chose to ignor what she said was the "speeding" train. In 15 years, that railroad never ran more than 15 mph on its entire 44-mile length!
There might be the one in a million grade crossing accident that is the fault of the railroad for some odd reason. The rest of the time, it is the pure stupidity of the car driver. A lot of this, I believe, can be traced back to two things — bad drivers education training in which railroad grade crossing is not emphasized, and the public's general misguided belief that railroads no longer operate and are a dead industry so they will never see a train. If anything, the railroad's efficient use of power to move long trains and the lack of passenger service, means many people never see trains at crossings until they are dying on the front coupler. But even then, it is their fault, not the railroads'.
If you drive on the highways, you must know that there is a general disregard for traffic controls and laws, for other drivers, and for basic safety. Those habits extend to their actions at railroad crossings. How many times have you been driving 58-59 mph in a 55 zone had had someone pass you as if you were standing still and still just make back into the proper lane before crashing into oncoming traffic. That's the same wreckless behavior. Would it be your fault that they couldn't stand driving the speed limit and had to take a needless chance? No.
As someone earlier wrote, too many people are looking for someone to blame for their own stupidity. There is no self-examination in our society. We need to build more mirrors and use them.

[Anonymous]

mudchicken, you nailed that one. lets quit beating a dead horse

Marty

[csxns]

CMEASTERN please e mail those lawyers that mike papula listed when he started this forum.They need to read what you wrote here.You done a good job.And every body knows angels on track sux and sux do you here this denny

[Anonymous]

Mike, get a grip, and a life! It's time for you to realize that drivers, and trespassers, are mostly responsible for their own fate when they drive across and walk along the tracks, and disregard the signs, lights, gates, bells, and whistles! It sickens me when members of your profession misuse the sorrow of victims to line your own pockets, particularly when the victim has violated the very law you purport to practice! Real railfans know how to legally and safely watch and photograph trains without putting life, limb, or freedom at risk.

[sooblue]

Just when you thought it was dead-Poof It's back[xx(]

[Wdlgln005]

Ought to be a way to shut this puppy down?
This topic has been going on for far too long & getting nowhere fast?

The Atlas forum has a feature to lock a topic down & prevent more posts
Time to let this one die!

[edblysard]

Tell me you didnt subject yourself to haveing read all of the garbage Mike and missouri posted here?
If so, you have my deepest sympathies. Plain, common sense has eluded them both. Save yourself the need for the 500mg tylenol, ignore any posting of theirs.[;)]Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by Wdlgln005

Ought to be a way to shut this puppy down?
This topic has been going on for far too long & getting nowhere fast?

The Atlas forum has a feature to lock a topic down & prevent more posts
Time to let this one die!

[vsmith]

OK, I"m getting tired of seeing this topic come up time after time so I'm going to finally stake my opinion on it. This is based solely on my knowledge of where I live (Los Angeles) It is ONLY my opinion, but is based on years of following local events here. Not in Moosejaw, Montana, here...not rural Mayberry RFD, but Big City USA. EVERY SINGLE TIME there is a train/car collision in LA it has been the drivers fault. There has been a blight of collisions here ever since the light rail streetcars and Metro-link commuter trains began running. The root cause is driver impatience. the thought of waiting 2 minutes for a train to pass apparently drives people out here crazy. they have driven around lowered gates, stopped on the crossings waiting for the street signals to change, pull into the path of oncoming trains because they think the train is just a big bus and will stop for them. The stupidist thing i've ever seen happens every couple of years, joggers running on the tracks while wearing headphones.
My personal feeling is that this is Darwinism in action. People stupid enough to fail to comprehend that an steel object 12 feet tall 8 feet wide and several cars long will not stop for them like a bus is pure ignorance and denial of the most basic comprehension of physics. People get killed in truly stupid ways. If you dont believe me just check out: www.darwinawards.com. I dont blame the RR's because they have to go where the tracks are. They just completed the biggest RR project here since Cajon Canyon was conquered, that is the Alameda Corridor. It placed the right of way below the street level from Long Beach to LA. One of the prime reasons was to avoid the idiots at grade crossings. Now there is talk of extending the corridor out to Riverside. Good Idea I say. Where I live the Gold Line streetcars are beginning operations at the end of this month. The crossings have been fitted with lights and gates at all 4 corners, even little gates that lower on the pedestrian side, and concrete medians at the center of the streets. Everything short of a solid wall to stop cars. I'll bet within two months of opening some bonehead will find a way to get hit by a streetcar. It's human evolution. these are the same knukcleheads that 10,000 years ago would say to the rest of the tribe "Ah aint affraid of no bear in that cave..." or undo the safety harness on the rollercoaster so that they can stand up in the middle of the ride. keep that in mind. I know I sound cynical but human stupidity will always overcome the efforts to thwart it.

[Anonymous]

I sure have seen a lot of EYE-witnesses saying the equipment failed. What do you think---Bought off or the reports lost?

Train barrels into car, killing driver
Possible problem with crossing gate under scrutiny




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By Darrell Smith
The Desert Sun
July 10, 2003


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MECCA -- Investigators are focusing on a malfunctioning rail crossing gate in the death of a man whose car was struck by a train Wednesday.

The collision happened just before 11:30 a.m. at a rail crossing on Avenue 66 north of Highway 111 in Mecca, said California Highway Patrol Officer Tami Low.

The driver, a 76-year-old Mecca man, was waiting behind the crossing gate when the crossing arm rose high enough to allow the man’s car to pass, witnesses told CHP investigators.

When he did, a Union Pacific freight train, loaded with nearly 300,000 pounds of cargo, barreled through the Toyota station wagon, knocking it into a nearby culvert.

Investigators marked the train’s speed at 61 mph, normal for that stretch of track, Low said.

"We have really good witnesses who came forward. We’re looking at that very seriously," Low said of the crossing gate.

"We have strong witnesses and strong indications there may have been a malfunction."

The train’s conductor leapt from the train and sprinted the length of the 37-car, 4,000-foot-long freight to pull the man from the wrecked car, Low said.

But the man’s injuries were too great and he died just after 2 p.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. His name had not been released Wednesday pending notification of relatives.

Neither the conductor nor the engineer were injured, and Union Pacific officials said the two were receiving counseling.

The train, based out of Los Angeles, was heading to the East Coast, said Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis.

It is considered one of the most important trains on the railroad’s west-east route because of the expensive cargo it hauls, Low said.

The route through Mecca is a busy one, Low said, with a train passing through every 20 minutes.

The collision closed rail traffic for roughly 2 1/2 hours as crews tended to the victim and cleared the tracks.

The highway patrol is investigating the wreck. Union Pacific officials will also look into the collision and the crossing gate.

Union Pacific’s Davis would not comment specifically on allegations that the gate malfunctioned, citing its investigation into the wreck.

Davis did not know Wednesday how long the railroad’s investigation would take.

"As long as it takes," he said from the railroad’s Omaha, Neb., offices.