Yet another (almost tragic) Amtrak/truck collision here in metro Chicago today. When will truck and car drivers ever learn about the dangers of foolish driving around active train tracks, like this one that carries high speed Amtrak trains to and from St. Louis:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-will-county-elwood--amtrak-01242011,0,4133185.story?track=rss
Explosive Rd.? How ironic. Looks like they were carrying gravel or excavation dirt. Some of those guys drive well over the speed limits, run lights and tail gate. Not surprising one rear-ended the other leading to the rail accident.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Yet another Media story lacking the facts concerning what actually took place.
RABEL Yet another Media story lacking the facts concerning what actually took place.
What makes you say that? It appears to be reporting what the State Police officer said. Are you aware of an error or serious omission? If so, what is it?
The fact is that people won't learn to go around gates. It's also a fact that people have been getting hit by all forms of transportation ever since someone figured out to hook up a horse to a cart. We have plenty of education on RR crossing safety, and people know about it. The problem isn't whether people know or don't know, the problem is that people know and make the decision to do it anyway. That being the case, they bear personal responsibility over what happens. I don't go around gates, and I can say that as a result I peacefully sleep at night knowing that I will not be hit by a train at a grade crossing. But hey, you want to beat that train? Go right ahead. Your death will not cause me to lose sleep at night.
It may seem cruel, but those are just the facts.
I, too, think that the writer presented all of the facts (s)he was told; would welcome additional information. It would be interesting to know how the second truck (presumably going straight on 53, which parallels the tracks) wound up on the tracks. Something about the phrasing, though, suggests that it was inevitable that the truck on the track was going to be hit by an Amtrak train "a few minutes later". Almost makes you wonder if anyone attempted top contact UP and report the incident to them. It may have been avoidable.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
CShaveRR (Snip) Something about the phrasing, though, suggests that it was inevitable that the truck on the track was going to be hit by an Amtrak train "a few minutes later". Almost makes you wonder if anyone attempted top contact UP and report the incident to them. It may have been avoidable.
(Snip) Something about the phrasing, though, suggests that it was inevitable that the truck on the track was going to be hit by an Amtrak train "a few minutes later". Almost makes you wonder if anyone attempted top contact UP and report the incident to them. It may have been avoidable.
It would be very interesting to know exactly when the state trooper reported to his dispatcher that the truck was on the track and when Amtrak arrived. That information is available, but somehow I have doubts we'll ever have it!
did this delay the amtrak trains?? I think I saw an eastbound amtrak this morning at work in Archbold ohio.I saw passenger cars but couldn't tell if it was Amtrak or NS because of a coal train blocking the view.
stay safe
Joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
Wouldn't have affected "your" Amtrak trains, Joe--this is on the line from Chicago to St. Louis, and happened southwest of Joliet.
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