Wreck at Tennessee Crossing

[BaltACD]

Euclid

Here is some information from this link:

 

https://newschannel9.com/news/local/rail-traffic-resumes-but-questions-remain-about-collegedale-train-collision-derailment-norfolk-southern-starette-trucking-company-bridge-beam-accident-video

 

“Our video shows the truck is owned by Starette, an Augusta, Georgia- based trucking company that specializes in transporting large items like bridge beams.”

 

“They say the company responsible for transporting the load hired two escort cars for the tractor trailer. One escort car was in front and another behind the oversized load when the train struck.

 

All permits for oversized load escorts are granted through the Tennessee Department of Transportation, according to Collegedale police.”

 

Here is a very recent article from 1/12/23 in which people comment that the driver does not bear the blame, and that publishing his name and photo was out of order: 

 

https://www.overdriveonline.com/channel-19/article/15305468/tennessee-train-derailment-brings-felony-charges-for-driver

 

The article makes the point that the driver had veered into the wrong lane with oncoming traffic.  It seems obvious that this move was deemed necessary to swing wide in order to make the turn with the ultra-long trailing load.  The article seems to imply that this was a failure of the driver to maintain lane control. 

 

Here is the synopsis from Facebook, including the driver’s photograph:

 

https://www.facebook.com/CDalePD/posts/pfbid0skd5prCbYvfjcMC3wC6VoRLG8JNdfpCwM8HaQfGScn7UwvA61JFBpYXiTiLtNfXKl  

 

It seems strange to rush to put the blame entirely on the driver when this move legally required escort protection and guidance, a permit from the state, an application for the permit by the trucking company, notification of the railroad, notification of the police, and operational response and protection from the railroad.  

The DRIVER did not clear the crossing with his load.  Escort SHOULD have directed traffic at the light the driver stopped for, so that the driver could make a CONTINUOUS move in getting his load over the railroad crossing.

The Escort job IS NOT just driving ahead or behind the oversized load with one head up his posterior.  That being said, the DRIVER of the oversize load is the party ultimately responsible.

[Euclid]

BaltACD

The Escort job IS NOT just driving ahead or behind the oversized load with one head up his posterior.  That being said, the DRIVER of the oversize load is the party ultimately responsible.

I think it remains to be seen where the lead escort's head was, but it does not look good.

With all the parties that were invovled and should have been involved, the question as to whether there was enough room on the farside of the crossing to hold the truck and its load should have been resolved before the truck arrived.  If it was not resolved ahead of time, the driver should not have crossed unless he was given the approval to cross by the forward escort.  

If the forward escort gave the driver approval to cross while there was not room to completely cross, then it would be the fault of the escort who gave the okay to cross.  

[tree68]

Bottom line:  They didn't call the railroad.

[blue streak 1]

What does it take to be an escort driver?  Just a  driver's license?  You would think insurance company would require some training for escort drivers as well as load drivers and be certified.

[Euclid]

blue streak 1

What does it take to be an escort driver?  Just a  driver's license?  You would think insurance company would require some training for escort drivers as well as load drivers and be certified.

 

I cannot find much in searching for duty to notify the railroad company before crossing their track with and oversize load.  One reference says that the existence of such a requirement depends on the whether the railroad requires it. 

 

There is lots of information on the duty of the escorts, and also references to the escort function being provided by the police.  There are also references to the need for a detailed route plan, but not clear as to who produces the plan.  References say the duty of the escorts is to encounter every possible route issue prior to the truck and load encountering such route issues.

 

There is a video online showing the truck driver standing in the street, excitedly enplaning that he was frantically blowing his horn in attempting to get traffic ahead of him to move out of his way.  He said that if they would have just gotten out of his way, he could have zoomed ahead, made the turn, and cleared the train.  He said he ran out of time. 

 

References indicate that escorts need a valid driver’s license, and a high school diploma.  Some companies require a CDL. 

[tree68]

Here are the requirements for an escort driver in New York State:

https://www.dot.ny.gov/nypermits/repository/escort.pdf

Railroads are not mentioned, from what I can see...