Passenger train's collisions with vehicles.

[blue streak 1]

blue streak 1

Another  Amtrak collision with oversized load.  This one was an extra heavy TT but just clipped end of trailer. Could have been much worse. Are the oversize / overweight loads have a bulls eye on Amtrak locos ?

http://patch.com/illinois/lakeview/1-injured-when-amtrak-train-strikes-semi-somonauk-reports

It now appears that this driver was involved in another incident shortly before Amtrak hit him.  This driver should be   ?????

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/truck-driver-involved-in-amtrak-accident-near-somonauk-knocked-down/article_19545816-729d-11e5-b72f-0bfa9e92bef9.html

 

 

[JC UPTON]

blue streak 1

 

blue streak 1

Another  Amtrak collision with oversized load.  This one was an extra heavy TT but just clipped end of trailer. Could have been much worse. Are the oversize / overweight loads have a bulls eye on Amtrak locos ?

http://patch.com/illinois/lakeview/1-injured-when-amtrak-train-strikes-semi-somonauk-reports

 

1.  Does anyone know if this was the SW Chief, or the Zypher?

2.  Since Amrtrak struck the trailing edge of the trailer, maybe the truck was the one with the "Bulls Eye"?                                                        

From the media link, the location (? 41°37'48.79"N   88°42'22.11"W ?) appears to be one where there is not a lot of room between the double track and the road intersection (about 72 feet)...  So if waiting for traffic to clear, tail end overhangs the track...?

[blue streak 1]

JC UPTON

 1.  Does anyone know if this was the SW Chief, or the Zypher?

2.  Since Amrtrak struck the trailing edge of the trailer, maybe the truck was the one with the "Bulls Eye"?                                                        

From the media link, the location (? 41°37'48.79"N   88°42'22.11"W ?) appears to be one where there is not a lot of room between the double track and the road intersection (about 72 feet)...  So if waiting for traffic to clear, tail end overhangs the track...?

 

 

Was train #6

Trailers are painting bulls eyes for Amtrak to hit.

Another case of trying to transport on the cheap.  Two incidents within 4 hours no excuse.  Where was the escourt ?  If a policeman had been along the intersection could have been cleared before trying to cross the rail line.  This is similar to the Carolinian hitting a monster load.  As we say in the airplane business.   "  Lack of pre flight planning "

 

Although hate to say it may be time for US DOT to regulate oversize loads of any kind.  Just like airlines make up a pre trip plan and keep one copy for 6 months signed sealed by dispatcher and driver.  Lack of one for any trip same $50,000 fine as FAA has.

   

[Deggesty]

The second link gave the information that it was the Chicago to Emeryville train.

[JC UPTON]

 

As I read the web article, all I could tell was that it was Eastbound from California.  This portion of the route is shared by The SW Chief, The California Zephyr & The Illinois Zephyr

 

 

 

From:

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/truck-driver-involved-in-amtrak-accident-near-somonauk-knocked-down/article_19545816-729d-11e5-b72f-0bfa9e92bef9.html

"Around 3:00 p.m., the rear of Barthel's truck was struck by an eastbound Amtrak train just west of Somonauk at the County Line Rd. crossing at Route 34.  ....

One person on the train was injured and taken to Valley West Hospital in Sandwich.  175 people were on the Amtrak train bound for Chicago from California. "

 

 

[schlimm]

What sort of gating seems to be involved in all these crossing accidents?  How much time from lowering of gates to the train reaching the crossing?

[Sunnyland]

This is getting far too common, sad to say. And people getting hit by trains when they are trespassing by walking on ROW.  OL tries to get the word out, but as a friend always says "you can't fix stupid".   People don't seem to understand that a train and a car should never be in the same place at the same time.   Have a friend who is retired BNSF engineer and has been involved in collisions where people have died.  He said he can't let it bother him, he's where he's supposed to be and they are not.  

[schlimm]

Sunnyland

as a friend always says "you can't fix stupid".

So is total resignation and doing nothing the answer?   Are Americans so different (more stupid) than people elsewhere where crossing incidents are more infrequent?  Sorry, but I don't think so.  I know empirically that Americans are at least as intelligent as people in other nations.  So the answers to this problem will be found, but not by merely blaming the victims (or "Darwin Award winners, since some on here have repeatedly refused to see the drivers or pedestrians killed and injured as victims).

[ACY Tom]

I suspect it would help to find a way to discourage earbud use by anybody who is on the R-O-W or crossing it.  Maybe pass some kind of law to that effect, but I'm not so naive that I think passing such a law means it will be complied with. Maybe that kind of law already exists.  If so, we see how much good it's doing. It seems that most of these accidents can be attributed to earbuds, inattention, and ignoring signals & gates.  I'm at a loss as to how to change these behaviors.

Tom

[Deggesty]

ACY

I suspect it would help to find a way to discourage earbud use by anybody who is on the R-O-W or crossing it.  Maybe pass some kind of law to that effect, but I'm not so naive that I think passing such a law means it will be complied with. Maybe that kind of law already exists.  If so, we see how much good it's doing. It seems that most of these accidents can be attributed to earbuds, inattention, and ignoring signals & gates.  I'm at a loss as to how to change these behaviors.

Tom

 

Tom, considering the number of people who think that the belts and straps in cars and trucks that are intended to reduce fatalities and injuries are of no value, and the people who cannot comprehend that the purpose of crossing gates is to protect the public from contact with trains--no matter how many times they have been told that such are for their protection, how can you best describe such people? It seems that they refuse to learn.

[BaltACD]

Deggesty

ACY

I suspect it would help to find a way to discourage earbud use by anybody who is on the R-O-W or crossing it.  Maybe pass some kind of law to that effect, but I'm not so naive that I think passing such a law means it will be complied with. Maybe that kind of law already exists.  If so, we see how much good it's doing. It seems that most of these accidents can be attributed to earbuds, inattention, and ignoring signals & gates.  I'm at a loss as to how to change these behaviors.

Tom

Tom, considering the number of people who think that the belts and straps in cars and trucks that are intended to reduce fatalities and injuries are of no value, and the people who cannot comprehend that the purpose of crossing gates is to protect the public from contact with trains--no matter how many times they have been told that such are for their protection, how can you best describe such people? It seems that they refuse to learn.

In my daily walks around the neighborhood, I am amazed by all the people that think to do anything outside they need to be connected to their I-pad or other devices.  Brain dead to the actual world around them.

[blue streak 1]

Southbound Starlight hits pickumup truck norht of Sacremento.  Driver did not survive.

http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-sacramento/1-killed-when-train-vehicle-crash-in-sutter-county/36009918

 

[Paul of Covington]

   Here's another one.   I'm a bit familiar with this area.   The crossing is an entrance to a small industrial park-like area.

http://www.fox8live.com/story/30426997/amtrak-train-collides-with-18-wheeler-near-ponchatoula

[Deggesty]

From the time of the original report (2:38 this afternoon), it may have been the northbound train, #58, running a little late.

[JC UPTON]

Deggesty

From the time of the original report (2:38 this afternoon), it may have been the northbound train, #58, running a little late.

 

 

Yes, local newspaper reported that it was Norhtbound; the Southbound had already passed...

Some engine damage, requiring a replacement to be sent from New Orleans.....

 

http://theadvocate.com/news/police/13878283-125/amtrak-train-collides-with-18-wheeler

[blue streak 1]

Unconfirmed report CHI - Michigan train hit a vehicle some where aroundMichigan city.  A details.  If these collisions continue Amtrak will not be able to have enough locos to run their schedules.

 

[Deggesty]

blue streak 1

Unconfirmed report CHI - Michigan train hit a vehicle some where aroundMichigan city.  A details.  If these collisions continue Amtrak will not be able to have enough locos to run their schedules.

 

 

Perhaps Amtrak should sue the persons or the estates of persons who cause damage to Amtrak's property? And, ask for recompense for the lost revenue?

[schlimm]

Why not simply improve the safety of crossings?  Look and see how some other countries handle level crossings with fewer accidents rather than the same old routine.  What's wrong with that?

[BaltACD]

http://www.wafb.com/story/30457971/amtrak-train-carrying-lsu-fans-crashes-in-alabama

[blue streak 1]

BaltACD

http://www.wafb.com/story/30457971/amtrak-train-carrying-lsu-fans-crashes-in-alabama

 

Still pictures

http://abc3340.com/news/local/1-killed-in-traindump-truck-collision-in-bessemer

 

[blue streak 1]

unconfirmed report 92 hit logging truck north of Camden, SC.  Report says loco unable to continue but does not indicate whether loco can trail or not.  Waiting for a CSX  leader ?

 

[blue streak 1]

Missed a couple but Builder #7 hit large TT today.  Both engines disabled and will wait for train 8 to loan one loco.  Unconfirmed but likely Amtrak will borrow at least one BNSF loco for each train ?  This is a real epidemic of TT drivers.  Fatigue due to driver shortage ?

http://www.kxnet.com/story/30587782/several-injuries-on-amtrak-train-that-hit-truck-near-granville

 

[blue streak 1]

A  very disturbing figure is that in 2014 there were  ~  2300 train - vehicle collisions.  That averages out to ~ 6-1/2 per day.  Wonder how many involve heavy trucks or overweight equipment ?

[JC UPTON]

3 killed, 3 hospitalized near New Iberia as AMTRAK's Sunset Limited (#2) hits car stopped on track.   Accident occurred just before 6PM Wednesday.

[JC UPTON]

Death toll now 4.

One of the twin teens, previously in critical condition, died from injuries in hospital.

[blue streak 1]

Northbound TriRail hit garbage truck on grade crossing 22 hurt but not truck driver.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/breaking-news/tri-rail-crashes-into-truck-in-lake-worth/npxCN/

 

[blue streak 1]

collision in Michigan 1 dead.

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2016/01/amtrak_vs_car_crash_closes_e_m.html

 

Cannot understand something.  Since RRs are considered under federal regulation why cannot the FRA pass a regulation allowing for crossing cameras and violators be fined heavily ?  Say $1000 first offense and additional offense for each additional violation ?  Plus then send to state courts for license points or maybe first state then federal ?

Red light cameras certainly gets drivers attention.

 

[MikeF90]

To follow up on old news, the verdict and award against the trucking company whose driver hit the California Zephyr in 2011 was upheld:

http://www.ktvn.com/story/31074299/45-million-award-to-amtrak-upheld-in-deadly-nevada-truck-crash

The award to Amtrak was $4.5 million. Something for those other marginal operators to think about ....

[blue streak 1]

Nea Joliet near intermodal terminal Amtrak hit a TT that went around lowered gate.  Report as  Loco #66 and 2 people slightly injured.  The bad thing is this report says 5 vehicles went around gate before this 6th did not make t.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/joliet-romeoville/news/ct-joliet-train-truck-collision-20160219-story.htmla

[SD70M-2Dude]

blue streak 1

Cannot understand something.  Since RRs are considered under federal regulation why cannot the FRA pass a regulation allowing for crossing cameras and violators be fined heavily ?  Say $1000 first offense and additional offense for each additional violation ?  Plus then send to state courts for license points or maybe first state then federal ?

Red light cameras certainly gets drivers attention.

I would think that the RR Police (or any other Law Enforcement) already can write tickets to drivers going around the gates/lights; at least they can in Canada.  CN has already started installing cameras at crossings with Automatic Warning Devices, and I believe they work in the same fashion as red-light cameras, at any rate they will be very useful for accident investigations.