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FRA Trots Out New Reflector Rule
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LC- Good point about the "invisible" tank car. I know of a lawsuit in California where some dang fool drove around the gates and got clobbered, fortunately by a slow moving train, and STILL won his case. I don't remember all the particulars now ( it was a number of years ago ) but at the time I actually thought about finding a new career. The engineer was named in the suit as a liable party! The way these stinkin' lawyers are now, I'm surprised the dispatcher wasn't named too. Point is, any one of us can be sued by anyone. The hoghead in that case wasn't held liable, but a different jury might well have done otherwise. Forgive me for being a cynic, but close calls are almost a daily occurrence these days, so I dread any new government so-called safety rule. As I said before, I know these things are well intentioned, but I wonder how many of these bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young government weenies have even been in a rail yard, let alone in the cab of a locomotive. Such is the nature of bureaucracy, I suppose, but gee, guys, don't you drive a car? If you don't, then I guess I have to cut you some slack, but if you do, then you darn well ought to be aware of how stupid people can be behind the wheel! And that's not even taking pedestrians and bicyclists into account. I had an example of bicycle idiocy no more than a week ago at a suburban grade crossing. Damn fool went around a pedestrian gate so close in front of us that I was just SURE we got him. Thankfully, he made it, but my heart rate probably didn't get back to normal for two days. Worst part of it was, he had stopped at the gate like he was going to wait. Then, at the last possible second, he changed his mind and went for it. We were at track speed ( 38 MPH at that point ) with only 33 cars. Now, how many seconds of time did he risk his life for? Anyway, people, you see where I'm coming from. The bureaucrats can make all the rules they want, but they'll never succede in outlawing stupidity, and no safety device ( other than maybe a straightjacket ) will save a moron from himself. I rest my case. J.D. Nomad
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