Just released news at Burlington, WI but no details .Anyone have more info?
Was the train being pulled by a C&NW H class 4-8-4? (Zeppelin of the Rails).
This just in: Congress demands PBC (Positive Balloon Control)....Steering wheels to be mandated as standard equpment in balloons and locomotives per representative Kissy-My-Trainfinder of the last congessional district in CheesePickerLand...
Three hurt after hot air balloon hits train in southern Wisconsin (wbay.com)
Any idea if the baloon hit the leading locomotive or did it make contact somewhere farther back?
I imagine there are no codes in the conductor delay reports that would be applicable here...
The three in the balloon all have life-threatening injuries. Hope they are OK. It's too bad such a fun experience turned out so badly.
York1 John
York1 The three in the balloon all have life-threatening injuries. Hope they are OK. It's too bad such a fun experience turned out so badly.
I concur wholeheartedly.
When I saw the thread title I was prepared to get good and silly but there's nothing here to joke about, not with three people badly injured. What a shame.
Deleted original comment.
New respectful comment: One in a million accident. I hope everyone recovers soon!
Same me, different spelling!
From the way it sounds is the balloon had a mechanical issue and was in trouble. The sad part is that the people in the balloon ended up in the path of the train. Should be a very interesting NTSB report on this one when it gets done.
Not good and unfortunately brings to mind the parasailing incident by the FEC's former Key West line.
A bit of trivia: Balloons have the right of way over all other aircraft (except for emergenices) due to their lack of maneuverability. Trains typically have right of way over other land vehicles due to similar concerns. Ironic in the the collision involved two modes with very low maneuverability.
Would love to hear the PTT (Point to Train/ Point to DS) audio tape of that radio conversation. "You hit a what?"
I haven't been home yet to get all the details, but this happened about six blocks from where I live. Latest is all have been released from the hospital, was a pilot and two passengers. From the looks of it, I think it was just a bad choice of landing sites. Balloon was snagged by the northbound freight.........
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
This doesn't seem to be a 'train hits balloon" issue. It seems to be a 'balloon hits train issue'.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Murphy Siding This doesn't seem to be a 'train hits balloon" issue. It seems to be a 'balloon hits train issue' Yes, the point of contact was about 15 cars behind the locomotive. So headline should have said, "Low flying balloon drifts into the side of a moving train."
This doesn't seem to be a 'train hits balloon" issue. It seems to be a 'balloon hits train issue'
Yes, the point of contact was about 15 cars behind the locomotive. So headline should have said, "Low flying balloon drifts into the side of a moving train."
One of the cell-phone shots shows the balloon with distorted envelope; it was likely falling fast a hundred feet or more above the ground.
There appears to be quite a bit of green space to one side of the tracks in some of the news-coverage shots. It may be that the balloon pilot saw that as the only open 'island' in his track, and spilled the lift to get down into it, but ground wind caught the envelope and dragged the car into contact with the train.
I'd speculate that much of the injury is ground contact, not subsequent train dragging, but I'll wait for the forensic reporting.
There is a fair amount of hot air balloon activity in my area, often see three to five balloons in the air when coming home around dinner time. There is usually a mild on shore breeze at that time, so the balloon pilots usually don't have to worry about being blown out to sea.
Lounging in the house one late afternoon, I noticed that the burner for one ballong sounded a lot louder than usual. After going outside, I spotted one balloon maybe 100 above ground level being blow by on offshore breeze. He landed his balloon in a housing development about two blocks away, much to the fascination of the neighbor hood kids. This pilot was lucky as another pilot had to ditch his balloon about a quarter mile offshore of Solana Beach.
Having witnessed the above, I am not surprised that a hot air balloon could get tangled up in a train.
Erik_MagThere is a fair amount of hot air balloon activity in my area, often see three to five balloons in the air when coming home around dinner time. There is usually a mild on shore breeze at that time, so the balloon pilots usually don't have to worry about being blown out to sea. Lounging in the house one late afternoon, I noticed that the burner for one ballong sounded a lot louder than usual. After going outside, I spotted one balloon maybe 100 above ground level being blow by on offshore breeze. He landed his balloon in a housing development about two blocks away, much to the fascination of the neighbor hood kids. This pilot was lucky as another pilot had to ditch his balloon about a quarter mile offshore of Solana Beach. Having witnessed the above, I am not surprised that a hot air balloon could get tangled up in a train.
When driving home from work in Jacksonville after getting relieved at 7 AM I would occasionally see baloons flying, generally on Sunday mornings. Don't know where they were launching from or where they were touching down.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Overmod One of the cell-phone shots shows the balloon with distorted envelope; it was likely falling fast a hundred feet or more above the ground. There appears to be quite a bit of green space to one side of the tracks in some of the news-coverage shots. It may be that the balloon pilot saw that as the only open 'island' in his track, and spilled the lift to get down into it, but ground wind caught the envelope and dragged the car into contact with the train. I'd speculate that much of the injury is ground contact, not subsequent train dragging, but I'll wait for the forensic reporting.
That area to the east of the tracks is part of a city park, although there is not a lot of open area there. Where they touched down/snagged the train is a few hundred feet south of a former road crossing that was removed last year as part of a siding extension project. My guess is it's a classic case of wrong place at the wrong time.
I see Trains got an interview with the engineer, whose actions likely lessened the severity of the accident..........
rvos1979 My guess is it's a classic case of wrong place at the wrong time.
Gumperson's Law - If anything can go wrong, it will, and at the worst possible time...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
When the crew told the dispatcher what had happened, the dispatcher probably wondered if they had been hitting the hallucinogens.
SALfan1 When the crew told the dispatcher what had happened, the dispatcher probably wondered if they had been hitting the hallucinogens.
Most dispatchers have dealt with far crazier stuff. It takes a lot to phase them.
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
SALfan1When the crew told the dispatcher what had happened, the dispatcher probably wondered if they had been hitting the hallucinogens.
You just take things in stride. You can't change anything that has already happened, the only thing you can do is work to get the proper assistance headed to the crew so as to minimize the inevitable delays.
I'm reminded of an incident some years back near Binghamton, NY when a balloon with troubles was trying to land in the median of I-86 and ended up getting hit by a westbound Peterbilt. At least one fatality as I recall. There was video but after more than a decade I can't find it.
mudchickenThis just in: Congress demands PBC (Positive Balloon Control)....Steering wheels to be mandated as standard equpment in balloons and locomotives per representative Kissy-My-Trainfinder of the last congessional district in CheesePickerLand... Three hurt after hot air balloon hits train in southern Wisconsin (wbay.com)
Saw a more recent article that stated all three were treated at the hospital and released.
Vern Moore I'm reminded of an incident some years back near Binghamton, NY when a balloon with troubles was trying to land in the median of I-86 and ended up getting hit by a westbound Peterbilt. At least one fatality as I recall. There was video but after more than a decade I can't find it.
Responded some years ago to a hard balloon landing. I don't recall that we transported anyone, but it was hard enough that they needed a look at. It was in a field, at least. The only thing they hit was the ground.
[quote user="tree68"]
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