schlimm Zugman: Why eliminate grade crossings? Because a few idiots can't stay off the tracks? You apparently are either incapable of rationally arguing your point without diverting the discussion so when all else fails you revert to inconsistent sadism. When someone in a car, on foot or whatever gets in the way of a train, why it's party time, Darwin Awards, etc. But when a railroader is killed or loses an arm, etc., it's a big tragedy. One would think being professionals they would be more able to avoid the danger than mere civilians. The tragedy is that we as a nation cannot make the rails safer for everyone.
Zugman: Why eliminate grade crossings? Because a few idiots can't stay off the tracks?
You apparently are either incapable of rationally arguing your point without diverting the discussion so when all else fails you revert to inconsistent sadism. When someone in a car, on foot or whatever gets in the way of a train, why it's party time, Darwin Awards, etc. But when a railroader is killed or loses an arm, etc., it's a big tragedy. One would think being professionals they would be more able to avoid the danger than mere civilians. The tragedy is that we as a nation cannot make the rails safer for everyone.
First, I'm biased. It is a brotherhood.
Second: no matter how many gates, traffic lights, bells, dividers, etc. you put up, people will still get themselves dead. There are a lot of tragic accidents. But there's also idiots that are trying to beat the train. Sorry, I have zero sympathy for them. Want to put up gates at all crossings? Fine, go for it. But to suggest 100% complete crossing elimination? My god man, are you daft? RRers are trying their damndest to eliminate crossings, but it is a slow process (see earlier BNSF thread).
Railroaders have to deal with trains every moment we are out there. Cars just have to cross tracks for a few seconds a day. A bit of a difference, no?
And Schlimm: even though I am not going to get all upset about someone running the lights and getting hit, don't you EVER accuse me of saying it is party time. My goal is to make sure nobody gets hurt. Don't you DARE accuse me of anything less. Only a sick bastard would take glee in seeing someone hurt. And how many railroaders get hit by trains vs. civilians? I think the latter has a much greater incident rate. But despite what you may think, railroaders are people too, and capable of making mistakes.
Yes, sometimes we joke about someone getting smooshed. But it's better than driving yourself crazy over it.
And despite what you may feel, my one gov't professor summed it up nicely: human life has a price. that determines what roads get improved, and what crossings get upgraded/eliminated. It also determines what safety apparatus your automobile is required to have or offers, and what rules the railroad or gov't will come up with next week. Sure you can make the rails safer - BUT AT WHAT COST? Answer me that and you win the prize Mr. Schlimm.
Ps. I didn't divert this conversation to grade crossings, Mr. Chance did(we also got into state sovereignty somehow). But hey, I always enjoy your little tirades and attacks. Makes my night.
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
Zugmann: Elimination of hazardous situations on the rails should be a goal you ought to welcome. Some crossings can be safe enough without separation, and some not. Brotherhood or not is not an excuse to be jaded. If you don't want to be accused of sadism or at least Schadenfreude, then try to desist from making light of the misfortunes, including the deaths of others less fortunate than you. Joking about someone getting smooshed is using reaction formation as a defense mechanism to deal with your uncomfortable feelings. Far better would be to try to do something constructive about it, like push for more safety in all areas of railroading. And yes, I agree with you that the accident rate for railroaders is very high. i saw it a while back on a government website.
Your gov't professor sounds like a real thinker. I've known some like that as colleagues. But I'll bet he doesn't put a price on his family. And what's with the Mr. Shady crack? Nothing to do with the notorious "slim shady." The "schlimm" is German for "terrible" which judging by your handle I thought you would know. Tirade? Pot and kettle, I guess.
I recall that you used to be pretty civil in these discussions, compared to several other ex-posters. I hope you can return to your former ways.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Lights out!! G'night everybody.
-Crandell
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