It dosnt get any dumber

[cherokee woman]

I have ridden our public bus since 1977. When I worked for a bank in downtown
Louisville, it was easier and cheaper than paying to park in the garage of the building.

We still ride the bus (have to when you don't have a car). Our bus tickets cost $10
for a week, or $23 for a monthly pass.[:)][^]

[:(]Of course, can't ride the bus to see my family, because none of them are near a
bus line.

But we ride to the grocery, KMart, and wherever else we need to go: doctor, hospital,
etc.

[jchnhtfd]

Of course, some places don't have that much public transportation... try pretty much anywhere in the fair State of Connecticut, for example. The DOT will do anything for the cars (including the worst designed Interstate highway anywhere in the world!) but public transit? Don't be funny... the only thing going is Metro North and, friends, that's New York City with CT DOTs very very grudging minimal assistance.

[mudchicken]

By any freak chance, are there any "after" photos of damage to just the truck and just the railcar? Know it has to be substantial, but would like to know the extent of the damage outside the human costs.....

Also wonder what was the experience quotient of the two UP guys(?). Still discouraged that this even had the chance to happen - something is really wrong when a safety appliance is routinely ignored like this.....Was this experience breeds contempt, blunder or lack of experience?

[edblysard]

Try here for photos/slide show of the leftovers or the truck.
http://www.chron.com/cs/cda/ssistory.mpl/special/04/lightrail/2367998
Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cherokee woman

I have ridden our public bus since 1977. When I worked for a bank in downtown
Louisville, it was easier and cheaper than paying to park in the garage of the building.

We still ride the bus (have to when you don't have a car). Our bus tickets cost $10
for a week, or $23 for a monthly pass.[:)][^]

[:(]Of course, can't ride the bus to see my family, because none of them are near a
bus line.

But we ride to the grocery, KMart, and wherever else we need to go: doctor, hospital,
etc.

YEs, Public Transportation all the Way!

Oh, Ed.. the link doesn't work, at least for me.

[edblysard]

Jan. 23, 2004, 4:21PM

Truck driver seriously injured in MetroRail crash
By S.K. BARDWELL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES
• Slideshow: Metro light rail accident
Courtesy of KHOU-TV.

A Union Pacific Railroad employee was seriously injured this morning when his utility truck was struck by a Metro train in southwest Houston.
Christopher McGinnis, 30, was listed in serious but stable condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital this afternoon. McGinnis worked as a welder for Union Pacific, said company spokesman John Bromley.
The accident happened just after 9 a.m. as the Union Pacific truck, southbound on Kirby, drove around lowered barrier arms blocking tracks along Holmes Road, and was struck by the eastbound light rail train, said Metro Police Chief Tom Lambert.
Bromley said some of the multiple sets of tracks along that section of Holmes are used by Union Pacific, while others are used as a test track for Metro's trains.
Metro Police Chief Tom Lambert said the Metro tracks run about two miles west of Metro's rail operations facility at Bellfort and Fannin, and are used to conduct the 1,000 hours of tests each Metro train must undergo before being placed in service.
The two miles of track are designed to allow the trains to reach their maximum design speed of 66 miles per hour.
Authorities said the eastbound Metro train probably was traveling about 60 mph when it slammed into the truck just behind the truck cab's door. The utility truck was badly mangled, and the train's front wheels were knocked off the tracks.
"These trains weigh 98,000 pounds. They are going to probably win in any circumstance where there is a conflict with a truck or automobile," said Lambert.
The Metro train operator was thrown into the train's windshield and suffered minor injuries, officials said. He was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and was expected to be released later today.
The only passengers aboard the train were four other test operators, and Lambert said all of them were taken to area hospitals to be checked out as a precaution.
The accident is under investigation by both Metro and Union Pacific.
(I hope this link works)
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/04/lightrail/2367998

[edblysard]

Uh, forgot.
Click on the link, then the resorces for a slide show...
Ed[:0]

[zardoz]

I wonder if the RR will wait until he is out of the hospital before they have his pre-dismissal "investigation"?

In my best southern drawl: "That boy in a heap o' trouble!"

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Ed [8D]

I forwarded the email you sent me to several lol people on my addy list.

I believe tomorrow (today) there will be several lol more post in this thread from people viewing the pics.

This is inexcusable from railroad people.

Got the photo's, Boy, I'd love to be fly on the wall of thier supervisor's office when they try to explain just what the heck they were thinking.[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[edblysard]

My guess is that UP will politely ask Metro how much they owe them for the train, and these two, when and if they get back from their long, long vacation, will "shop workers" for a good while.
You just cant argue with the camera, or the eyewitness's story.
Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


You just cant argue with the camera, or the eyewitness's story.
Ed

The Aliens did it. Yeah, that's the ticket, the aliens did it. They stole my truck and threw me in front of the train. It all happened so fast, I just didn't know what about going on. Them dirty rats, them aliens.

[Anonymous]

wonder if they were fired from UP? unsafe conduct?

[Mookie]

Are people who work for a railroad or under a railroad contract ever "fined" for the damaged property?

In this instance, of course the railroad will pay the damages, but what about the men involved - is being pulled out of service temp or permanently all that happens? (I know- that is a lot) but just like a court - is a fine ever imposed? Some happenings are truly accidents - others are just ......stupidity!

[espeefoamer]

"Stupid is as stupid does".

[Anonymous]

They should break a record for being the dumbest people on earth!

[Anonymous]

That's just plain stupid. They're an insult to the UP!

[edblysard]

Would think UP will write Metro a check.

Would also bet the workers are out of a job.

Punishment would vary, depending on how pissed off UP management is.

There will be a "investigation", but not a very long one, hard to argue with the tape.

They could be pulled from service for 180 days or more, or fired outright, depending on how they act and what happens at the investigation.

Remember, the "investigation" is a kangaroo court, conducted by the railroad, presided over by the railroad officers, and ruled on by the same officers, so that investigation is only a losely relative term.

If they get time off, they will be recalled by the railroad after they serve their time.

Fired outright is exactlly what it sounds like, empty out your locker and get off property, dont come back.

If that happens, the workers would have to go to the national labor board, present their case, and hope the board rules in their favor, and forces the railroad to put them back to work.

Dont count on that happening though, I would bet they "throw themselves on the mercy of the court," so to speak, and agree to take time off, as long as the railroad wants.

As for fines, the FRA can fine an employee, for a rule infraction, or breaking the law, but the railroads cant.

Keep in mind the Metro engineer was injured, and can sue UP for damages, in a court of law.
He could even sue the workers, but that would be a waster of time.

Like any business, railroads carry insurance.

Metro will file against UPs insurance, get paid for their train and damages, UP will write off the truck and the repairs to the crossing, eat the medical cost to their employees, and go about business as usual.

For both Metro and UP, this is no different that any other grade crossing accident, other that the dips were railroad employees.

And that, with UPs 3985 and a lot of Brass hats in town for the Super Bowl, will leave the railroad no choice but to puni***he workers harshly.

As much as I hate to see anyone lose their job, its not like these guys were ignorant of what they were doing, and the results that can happen.

Ed

[mudchicken]

Well said.

[ironhorseman]

I was doing an inventory of my Trains Magazines last night, came across an old one with this quote in it, very relevant to this topic:

"At a railroad if employees don't understand why they have to abide by the rules they imperil others' lives in addition to their own."
-Readers' Platform, "Safety and the next generation- be worried." by Geoffrey H. Doughty, Pg 74, Trains Magazine, April 1999.

[Anonymous]

OK, so how about an update.

Anybody know what happened to these two einsteins?