CSSHEGEWISCH blue streak 1 Why not fuses? Fusees are quite bright but they can be hazardous in their own right, especially for a conductor riding on the side of a freight car in a back-up move.
blue streak 1 Why not fuses?
Why not fuses?
When I was ATM at Locust Point Yard in Baltimore, we had a 2nd trick yard job that worked its way out of the yard and down the middle of Key Highway to the intersection of Light Street and then further on Light Steet to the intersection of Pratt Street where the track ended just past the McCormack Spice plant, which was the final customer on the line.
A day or two before Christmas in 1974 or 1975 the crew was shoving their train with a caboose in the lead - the cab was lit up 'like a Christmas tree' with both red and yellow fusees - multiple fusees!. Someone in a Ford stationwagon driving 'up' Key Highway ran head on into the fusee lit caboose, at speed. The vehicle was littered with multiple beer cans and Christmas presents. The driver did not survive.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
As a former supplier to a railcar builder of graphics and related material....railcars have very effective conspicuity reflective film applied in the range of 700-1000 candlepower.
Granted the NS locomotives are black, but my guess is those had reflective tape.
Horrible incident.
ed
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...
tree68 I've seen far too many hi-viz documents that were anything but, due to dirt and wear.
I've seen far too many hi-viz documents that were anything but, due to dirt and wear.
I seriously hope MSHA/FRA/OSHA comes down hard on the facility operator and the construction truck driver. (Agree 100% with BALT)
Protecting the shove .... and the dump truck driver can't see the railcar that's as big as the mining equipment to judge relative positions? I certainly do not want to be on foot in that environment.
We have, as I suspect others do also, rules prohibiting riding the bottom step of an engine or the stirrup on the side of a car over crossings. Public and private, including in railroad yards.
That's not to say that's the case here. A dump truck would be tall enough to hit you riding up higher on the car.
Jeff
FRA Directive. It was nighttime, the yard was lighted, and the conductor had his lantern turned on. Prior to the incident, the conductor was in communication with the engineer via radio. The private highway-rail grade crossing was equipped with passive warning devices and stop signs.
There is nothing more invisible in a generally lighted area than a 6 volt brakeman's lantern bulb.
That DOES NOT ABSOLVE the truck driver of his responsibilities to LOOk and SEE what is approaching the crossing.
The actual FRA safety bulletin:
https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2023-03/Safety%20Bulletin%202023-02%20%28031623%29.pdf
NTSB has issued guidance on the incident that happened in a steel facility in Cleveland.
https://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/Conductor-fatality-prompts-FRA-safety-bulletin--68833
The article identifies the area where it happened as being 'lighted'. For someone to 'see' a brakemans lantern in a lighted industrial area and have it 'register' would take 'super human accuity'.
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