Sight Distance and preventable deaths at grade cro

[wabash1]

ED CSX engineer Ken, and others

I am proud to say i got in with out hitting anyone this trip. but as i slept i had a vision. It was a lawyer putting these mocked up numbers in our faces, and telling us we could do more to prevent crossing accedents. and they had there own site to. OH wait this is reallity. well then to make there numbers more realistic for the railfans out here the miles they talk about are system wide. and the numbers are payload miles not actual mileage. such as dead head miles, paid holiday miles ( holiday pay converted to miles) and locals yard switchers get the picture. this is how they make it look like their couse is worth the time to go to a web site to aurgue with people who cant change anything and wont change anything. The way i see it (and if i am wrong let me know) you take a city street up to 35mph you are driving along at 35mph and the traffic light starts to change from green to red the first light you see is a yellow, this yellow is only on for 3seconds before it goes to red. and most alsways cars stop in plenty of time with out sqreeching tires. now increase the speed to 45 and you get a 5-7 sec warning or a change. this is fine for traffic on streets . Now lets look at railroads

A crossing at grade is designed to give 15 sec of warning before the lead of train is in center of crossing. Now with this in mind we are giving a 10-13 second more advance warning that the transportation department dont give regular traffic. a case in point remeber back in 1997 a amtrack train comming down the illinois central in bourbonnais,Il. A truck goes around the gate gets hit and the amtrak derails. Ok the just of the matter is the site for distance is not a issue you can see atleast 1mile if not 2. And it was said that the lights and gates come down with the train over 1/4 mile away well if i aint mistaken at 80mph it will take him 1/4 mile to be at the center of that crossing in 15seconds. these are facts. Hey operation mike lets see if you can argue with these facts, my train is 3/4 mile long i am doing 35mph how long will it take me to clear the crossing. 31sec i measured and timed. its fact not made up. but at 35mph someone will still try and beat ya . but you dont want these facts do you. Here ill give you something else to work with mike. How about all the wildlife we hit, go to work with green peace or the prevention of cruelty to animals, better yet why dont you patrol the railroads yourself and make sure everything is clear. see i exspect you to say something like dont let the railroads fool you with these numbers its their properganda. only one flaw to that I Me MYself timed my train I know what the facts are. we the people who work here know what the facts are. and mike knows that he has us over a barrle on most issue couse as employees of railroads we cant talk about spacific accedents. this is one reason we get keyed up, we can lose are jobs. well i figure i talk to the wall enough already

to sum it up. the railroads do all they can to prevent accidents. becouse someone is running late and dont want to wait for a train that will slow them down by 31sec. they risk their life. and we haft to suffer. then have operation mike come here and hassle us. he dont want to hear the facts when his mind is made up.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a wonderful idea, bury your head in the sand and the problem will go away. Are you sure your not a railroad stockholder?
Mike

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you feel this way. If you are upset because people are dying needlessly then there is hope for you. I know people go around gates and such, we can only help those who want to be helped. I'm talking of those who are trying to cross safely and can't because of various issues with the crossing not being addressed because it may effect the millions of net profit. Explain to me how putting safety before profit is childish?
Mike

[JoeKoh]

Hi emory
I'm done with this clown.The simple message is look listen and live.If he really cared about the safety of others he wouldn't be here making you railguys and gals mad.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

Sir, It is my belief that you do not care about railroad crossing safty. I believe you are doing this simply to upset railroaders and fans. Please take your childish behavour to another sight.
TIMOTHY ARGUBRIGHT

[Soo2610]

no, but I don't intend wasting my time reading and responding to their drivel either. Ignore them and maybe they will go away. Why should we let them ruin our forum?

[Anonymous]

All railroaders should boycott this site for a week and see if the forum administrator has any "juevos" about those who are trying to ruin this site. I will not post again for a week. Are my brothers with me?

[edblysard]

Hey Guys, guess what?
I am a king pin now.
Way too cool...

[edblysard]

Gee, sounds like people shouldnt drive their car in front of moving trains.

[Anonymous]

I happen to hate attorneys but since you think your king pin of the board contact the OLI/ex-Highway Patrol Commander in Ohio that he really should be pushing for occupied crossing equipment at active crossings. Ohio had 24 collisions in Jan. and Feb. 1 death and 14 injuries according to FRA. Turns out at least 3 of the collisions at active crossings in Ohio in two months the drivers were not trying to beat the train at all but were actually stranded across the tracks. I can show the attorney generals how video monitors work where the train crews can see the crossing in advance if he wants. http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/Pre_96/September95/520.txt.html plus show him/her how the railroads cook the books on safety equipment.

6 collisions at gated crossings (at least 3 had stranded vehicles)

1 collision at a crossing with lights

17 at passive crossings (70%)

I think on 3 or 4 the railroads actually failed to yield on the yard trains. Too bad you didn't have the 7 active crossing collisions with all stalled vehicles, icy roads, or failed crossing equipment on the police accident reports.
Selections: Railroad - ALL
State - OHIO County - All
Type of Crossing - Public & Private Crossings
Type of Accidents - All Accidents
Date Selected - January, 2003
=====Accident 1 ===== RR report 010329001 ===== Crossing ID 532646K ===== On Jan 02, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] hit a CAR at approximately 4:30PM in Ohio in HARD IN county on COUNTY LINE RD road. The incident occurred in/near FOREST city. The rail equipment was reported to have b een traveling at 038 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 8 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in an easternly direction at 030 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was snowing, at dusk and the temperature was 30. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) wa s also filed. The 34 year old female driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There wer e 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks, Other devices C73102 STRUCK AUTO DUE TO MOTORIST FAILED TO YIELD AT CROSSING.///

=====Accident 2 ===== RR report IX03012 ===== Crossing ID 253733K ===== On Jan 03, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Indiana & Ohio Rwy [IORY] hit a CAR at approximately 5:17PM in Ohio in CHAM PAIGN county on DIALTON RD road. The incident occurred in/near THACKERY city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 032 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 9 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in an easternly direction a t 015 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the tempera ture was 45. There were 0 death(s) and 2 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55 a) was also filed. The 17 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 0 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transpor ted by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks TRAIN 205-09 TRAVELING NORTH ON THE DTI MIDDLE SUBDIVISION AT MILEPOST 180.90 DAILTON ROAD: STRUCK A SMALL COMPACT SIZE CAR THAT HAD 2 PASSENGERS. ONE 17 YEAR-OLD MALE AND ONE 8 YEAR -OLD FEMALE. BOTH WERE LISTEN IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

=====Accident 3 ===== RR report 011278 ===== Crossing ID 473837G ===== On Jan 06, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a CAR at approximately 5:15PM in Ohio in OTTAWA county on OPFER LENTZ RD road. The incident was not in a city or town. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 037 Mph with 4 locomotive(s) and 88 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a southernly direction a t 015 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was snowing, at dusk and the temperature was 28. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) wa s also filed. The 40 year old female driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There wer e 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. The railroad was transporting hazardous mate rial. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks

=====Accident 4 ===== RR report CA03001 ===== Crossing ID 473191T ===== On Jan 07, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy Co. [WE ] was hit by a CAR at approximately 6:30P M in Ohio in WAYNE county on TWP 216 road. The incident occurred in/near SMITHVILLE city. The rail equipment was repor ted to have been traveling at 025 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 66 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a southernly direction at 020 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The CAR hit the 000 locomotive or rail car o n the crossing. It was cloudy, at night and the temperature was 33. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 29 year old female driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. The railroad was transporting hazardous material. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks TRAIN 236-07 WAS STRUCK BY 99 PONTIAC AT EGYPT RD NEAR SMITHVILLE AND DID NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAD BEEN HIT BY A VEHICLE. THE RAILROAD WAS UNAWARE OF THE INCIDENT UNTIL CONTACTED BY STATE POLICE ON JANUARY 8, 2003 AT 1752 HRS. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE AS TO WHERE THE AUTOMOBILE STRUCK IN THE TRAIN.

=====Accident 5 ===== RR report 011306 ===== Crossing ID 524883B ===== On Jan 08, 2003 a YARD/SWITCHING CONSIST operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a VAN at approximately 4:35PM in Ohio in HAMILTON county on MOSTELLAR RD road. The incident occurred in/near SHARONVILLE city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 001 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 4 cars(s). The VAN had been traveling in a south ernly direction at 001 Mph. The railroad was operating on industry track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the temperat ure was 50. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 60 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was obstructed by a hig hway vehicle. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks, Other devices ITEM 32: FLAGMAN

=====Accident 6 ===== RR report 011325 ===== Crossing ID 524678V ===== On Jan 08, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a VAN at approximately 7:50PM in Ohio in BUTLER county on FIRST ST road. The incident occurred in/near MIDDLETOWN city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 020 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 106 cars(s). The VAN had been traveling in an easternly direction at ? Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, at night and the temperature w as 45. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 48 year old female driver was trapped on the crossing and was re ported to have stopped on crossing. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed . The railroad was transporting hazardous material. The crossing was protected by: Gates, Standard flashing lights, Crossbucks

=====Accident 7 ===== RR report 010323031 ===== Crossing ID 867103W ===== On Jan 14, 2003 a LOCOMOTIVE(S) operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] hit a CAR at approximately 5:20AM in Ohio in LUCA S county on STICKNEY AVE road. The incident occurred in/near TOLEDO city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 002 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 0 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a northerly direction at 015 Mph. The railroad was operating on siding track over a public road crossing. It was clear, at night and the temperature was 16. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was al so filed. The 31 year old female driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Standard flashing lights, Crossbucks HIGHWAY USER DROVE INTO PATH OF ONCOMING TRAIN AND WAS STRUCK.

=====Accident 8 ===== RR report 010331019 ===== Crossing ID 142916E ===== On Jan 14, 2003 a YARD/SWITCHING CONSIST operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] was hit by a CAR at approximately 12:30AM in Ohio in SUMMIT county on EXETER RD road. The incident occurred in/near AKRON city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 003 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 3 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in an easternly di rection at 020 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The CAR hit the 001 locomotive or rail car o n the crossing. It was clear, at night and the temperature was 15. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this inc ident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was also filed. The 44 year old female driver was moving on t he crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks AUTO TRIED TO BEAT TRAIN AT CROSSING AND STRUCK LOCO CSXT 2235.~

=====Accident 9 ===== RR report 011450 ===== Crossing ID 481530R ===== On Jan 19, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a CAR at approximately 8:55PM in Ohio in MARION county on BARKS road. The incident was not in a city or town. The rail equipment was reported to have been trav eling at 032 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 7 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a westernly direction. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was snowing, at night and the temperature was 19. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 16 year old male driver was stopped on the crossing and was re ported to have stopped on crossing. There were 0 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed . Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Gates, Standard flashing lights, Bells (audible)

=====Accident 10 ===== RR report CA03002 ===== Crossing ID 473897R ===== On Jan 20, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy Co. [WE ] was hit by a CAR at approximately 7:05A M in Ohio in LUCAS county on NEW YORK road. The incident occurred in/near TOLEDO city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at ? Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 40 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a southernly di rection at 030 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The CAR hit the 032 locomotive or rail car o n the crossing. It was cloudy, during the day and the temperature was 20. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in t his incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was also filed. The 23 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks 223-19 WAS STOPPED BY A RED SIGNAL AT GTW CROSSING. WHILE THEY WERE STOPPED THEIR TRAIN WENT INTO EMERGENCY THEY WERE AB LE TO RECOVER THERE AIR AND PROCEEDED INTO LANG YARD. THE CN RAILROAD CONTACTED US LATER IN THE DAY TO GET INFORMATION A BOUT THE CREW BECAUSE A VEHICLE HAD STRUCK THE SIDE OF THEIR TRAIN AT NEW YORK AVE.

=====Accident 11 ===== RR report CA03003 ===== Crossing ID 474495M ===== On Jan 22, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy Co. [WE ] was hit by a PICKUP TRUCK at approximate ly 8:30AM in Ohio in STARK county on TELPHAK RD road. The incident occurred in/near MINERVA city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 022 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 3 cars(s). The PICKUP TRUCK had been traveli ng in an easternly direction at 035 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The PICKUP TRUCK hit the 001 locomotive or r ail car on the crossing. It was clear, during the day and the temperature was 5. There were 0 death(s) and 2 inju red in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was also filed. The 49 year old female driver w as moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 3 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks TRAIN 554-21 WAS WEST BOUND ON CARROLLTON BRANCH APPROACHING TELPAHAK RD WITH HEADLIGHT ON, BELL AND HORN SOUNDING. AS T HEY APPROACHED THE CROSSING THEY OBSERVED A VEHICLE APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND COMPLY WI TH REGULATIONS AND STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE TRAIN. THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLAIMED THAT SHE AND HER SON WERE INJURED. THE TYPE AND EXTENT OF THE ALLEDGED INJURIES ARE UNKNOWN.

=====Accident 12 ===== RR report 010331047 ===== Crossing ID 523973W ===== On Jan 30, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] hit a TRUCK & TRAILER at approximately 2:18PM in Ohio in CUYAHOGA county on ENGLE ROAD road. The incident occurred in/near CLEVELAND city. The rail equipment was repor ted to have been traveling at 059 Mph with 3 locomotive(s) and 35 cars(s). The TRUCK & TRAILER had been traveling in an easternly direction at 001 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the tempera ture was 26. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 21 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and wa s reported to have driven around or thru gate. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Gates, Cantilever flashing lights TRUCK WENT AROUND GATES AT XING AND TRAIN STRUCK AUTO.~

=====Accident 13 ===== RR report CA03004 ===== Crossing ID 474329V ===== On Jan 30, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy Co. [WE ] hit a CAR at approximately 1:00PM in Oh io in STARK county on COLUMBIA AV road. The incident occurred in/near NAVARRE city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 022 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 16 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a northerly direct ion at 020 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the tempera ture was 30. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 48 year old female driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks 271-30 WAS NORTH BOUND THROUGH NAVARRE. AS THEY APPROACHED COLUMBIA AVE WITH HEADLIGHT AND DITCH LIGHTS ON WITH HORN A ND BELL SOUNDING THEY OBSERVED A SMALL SUV APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND COMPLY WITH REGULA TIONS AND WAS STRUCK BY THE TRAIN.

=====Accident 14 ===== RR report 010307050 ===== Crossing ID 152414V ===== On Jan 31, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] hit a CAR at approximately 3:30AM in Ohio in BUTL ER county on WEHR ROAD road. The incident occurred in/near OVERPECK city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 045 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 107 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a southernly direction at 01 0 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was cloudy, during the day and the temper ature was 35. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-5 5a) was also filed. The 19 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transpo rted by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks TRAIN STRUCK VEHICLE ON CROSSING ========================================================================== --GRAND TOTALS-- Retrieved 14 report(s) For 14 accident(s) invoving 23 locomotives and 492 cars Causing 0 deaths and 10 injuries






Selections: Railroad - ALL
State - OHIO County - All
Type of Crossing - Public & Private Crossings
Type of Accidents - All Accidents
Date Selected - February, 2003


=====Accident 1 ===== RR report 0000173389 ===== Crossing ID 509368N ===== On Feb 01, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Grand Trunk Western RR Inc. [GTW ] was hit by a CAR at approximately 11:04PM in Ohio in WOOD county on E. BROADWAY road. The incident occurred in/near WALBRIDGE city. The rail equipment was repo rted to have been traveling at 003 Mph with 4 locomotive(s) and 18 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a southernl y direction at 020 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The CAR hit the 001 locomotive or rail car o n the crossing. It was foggy, at night and the temperature was 35. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 42 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. The railroad was transporting hazardous material. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks, RR crew CONDUCTOR WAS FLAGING CROSSING AS TRAIN WAS SHOVING 18 CARS OVER CROSSING. CONDUCTOR SIGNALED DRIVER TO STOP. DRIVER S TRUCK 1 CAR BEING SHOVED OVER CROSSING.

=====Accident 2 ===== RR report 011655 ===== Crossing ID 527817Y ===== On Feb 07, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a PICKUP TRUCK at approximately 1:15PM in Ohio in MONTGOMERY county on MCFADDEN AVE road. The incident occurred in/near DAYTON city. The rail equipment was rep orted to have been traveling at 045 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 16 cars(s). The PICKUP TRUCK had been traveling in a northerly direction at 003 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the tempera ture was 30. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55 a) was also filed. The 58 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transpor ted by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks

=====Accident 3 ===== RR report 011750 ===== Crossing ID PENDING ===== On Feb 12, 2003 a LOCOMOTIVE(S) operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a VAN at approximately 9:30AM in Ohio in TRUMBULL county on PRIVATE road. The incident was not in a city or town. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 006 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 0 cars(s). The VAN had been traveling in a northerly direction at 003 Mph. The railroad was operating on yard track over a private road crossing. It was snowing, during the day and the temperatu re was 17. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was also filed. The 52 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There we re 3 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transporte d by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: No crossing protection

=====Accident 4 ===== RR report 020327006 ===== Crossing ID 228684J ===== On Feb 14, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] hit a TRUCK at approximately 11:45AM in Ohio in DE LAWARE county on NORTH SECTION LINE road. The incident occurred in/near DELAWARE city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 040 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 62 cars(s). The TRUCK had been traveling in a westernly d irection at 015 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the tempera ture was 42. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 20 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and wa s reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Ha zardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks TRAIN STRUCK TRACTOR TRAILER AT CROSSING

=====Accident 5 ===== RR report 011772 ===== Crossing ID 524223P ===== On Feb 14, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a CAR at approximately 10:50PM in Ohio in CUYAHOGA county on BESSEMER AVE. road. The incident occurred in/near CLEVELAND city. The rail equipment was reported t o have been traveling at 040 Mph with 3 locomotive(s) and 27 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a northerly direc tion. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, at night and the temperature w as 17. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The male driver was stopped on the crossing and was reported to have stopped on crossing. There were 0 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous ma terial was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Gates

=====Accident 6 ===== RR report 011837 ===== Crossing ID 472468J ===== On Feb 18, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a MOTOR VEHICLE at approximately 3:41PM i n Ohio in HANCOCK county on PORTAGE TWP 136 road. The incident was not in a city or town. The rail equipment was repor ted to have been traveling at 045 Mph with 1 locomotive(s) and 89 cars(s). The MOTOR VEHICLE had been traveling in a northerly direction at 025 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was cloudy, during the day and the temper ature was 32. There were 1 death(s) and 0 injured in this incident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-5 5a) was also filed. The 29 year old female driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have not stopped. The re were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being trans ported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks

=====Accident 7 ===== RR report 020323023 ===== Crossing ID 513633H ===== On Feb 24, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] was hit by a CAR at approximately 9:07AM in Ohio in WOOD county on NIMS road. The incident occurred in/near BOWLING GREEN city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 047 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 70 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in a northerly direction a t 035 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The CAR hit the 001 locomotive or rail car o n the crossing. It was snowing, at dawn and the temperature was 19. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this in cident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was also filed. The 46 year old male driver was moving on th e crossing and was reported to have not stopped. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was n ot obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Crossbucks WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF'S VEHICLE RAN INTO THE SIDE OF TRAIN..

=====Accident 8 ===== RR report 011926 ===== Crossing ID 473714V ===== On Feb 24, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a PICKUP TRUCK at approximately 3:05PM in Ohio in SANDUSKY county on PRIVATE road. The incident was not in a city or town. The rail equipment was reported to h ave been traveling at 028 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 67 cars(s). The PICKUP TRUCK had been traveling in a southernl y direction. The railroad was operating on main line track over a private road crossing. It was cloudy, during the day and the tempe rature was 20. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 35 year old male driver was stopped on the crossing and was reported to have stopped on crossing. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was not obst ructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Stop signs

=====Accident 9 ===== RR report 011944 ===== Crossing ID 472431U ===== On Feb 26, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by Norfolk Southern Corp. [NS ] hit a VAN at approximately 9:36AM in Ohio in SENECA county on COLUMBUS STREET road. The incident occurred in/near FOSTORIA city. The rail equipment was reported to have been traveling at 036 Mph with 2 locomotive(s) and 85 cars(s). The VAN had been traveling in a northerly direct ion at 010 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. It was clear, during the day and the tempera ture was 30. There were no reported deaths or injuries. The 41 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and wa s reported to have driven around or thru gate. There were 2 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of the track was obs tructed by a permanent structure. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Gates, Standard flashing lights, Hwy traffic signals, Crossbucks

=====Accident 10 ===== RR report 020331033 ===== Crossing ID 523885L ===== On Feb 27, 2003 a FREIGHT TRAIN operated by CSX Transportation [CSX ] was hit by a CAR at approximately 11:08PM in Ohio in ASHTABULA county on BROADWAY AVE road. The incident occurred in/near GENEVA city. The rail equipment was reported t o have been traveling at 012 Mph with 3 locomotive(s) and 34 cars(s). The CAR had been traveling in an easternly dire ction at 015 Mph. The railroad was operating on main line track over a public road crossing. The CAR hit the 001 locomotive or rail car o n the crossing. It was foggy, at night and the temperature was 20. There were 0 death(s) and 1 injured in this inc ident and a Railroad Injury/Illness Report (form FRA-55a) was also filed. The 50 year old male driver was moving on the crossing and was reported to have driven around or thru gate. There were 1 occupant(s) in the vehicle. The view of t he track was not obstructed. Hazardous material was not being transported by rail or highway vehicle. The crossing was protected by: Gates, Standard flashing lights, Bells (audible) Q15827 WAS STRUCK BY AUTO AT X-ING.~ ========================================================================== --GRAND TOTALS-- Retrieved 10 report(s) For 10 accident(s) invoving 21 locomotives and 468 cars Causing 1 deaths and 4 injuries

[edblysard]

Caution to all railroaders and fans responding to this person known and his buddy, who we all already know.
I contacted several of the people on the list so kindly provided. They are of the opinion he and his companion work for the attorney who sponsers the mentioned web sight with the angelic children playing on the tracks, and are gathering favorable remarks, or editing portions of your remarks to further their web sites position. Several of the people on the list informed me they were mis-quoted, or parts of their statements were taken out of context and use to promote the webs sites mentioned.
They also informed me that the inflammatory style used is intended to provoke you into making statements that they can use against your carrier. Was advised by one that they are requesting their states Attorney General investigate some of their actions. I would warn all of you to cease responding to either of these two. It should be obvious to all of those who railroad for a living that they already know whos at fault at most grade crossings, but, because they are employeed by an attorney and a web site devoted to sueing railroads as a matter of fact, and makeing a nice profit for the personal injury suite they hustle up for this guy, trying to argue with them is a waste of our time.

[Anonymous]

"Idiots?" Missouri. Come tell me that I'm an Idiot! I live real close to the Missouri border. In fact, I have alot of idiot RR friends that along with myself would love for you to come tell us that. Let me know when you want to come tell us to our faces.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Now if the railroad were ordered to run shorter trains there wouldn't have been a problem huh. The same ten million for the viaduct could have been used for crossing equipment at 100 crossings. 200 crossings if the robber barons didn't overchrge like bandits. Over/under passes aren't really safe either. Theirs always vehicles going over and hitting the pillars on icy or slick roads. If the trains were buried would work a lot better.

[Anonymous]

Hahahah, Heeeheeeheee, I can see it now on Springer.
Ken

[JoeKoh]

Whoa there partner! As I put in another thread Gov't,people and railroads can work together to prevent a problem.Thats how a new viaduct was made because of heavy traffic by vehicles and trains.It took awhile but it was the right thing to do.i had a young lady ask a clerk in an auto store what an emergency vehicle was!!!!! would she notice the train at the crossing?probably not.the message is look listen and live. More and more people need to know it does take a train a long time to stop.if you take a video camera to the location you can show your sight problem.Csx has changed its timing patterns because of this.your camera will also so some idiot in a hurry to beat a train!the railroad employees are not at fault.Its that idiot!please if you need some help understanding this let me know.
be safe please
joe

[BRAKIE]

You tell that to the families that lost their son and daughter when a 18 wheel truck blasted through a red light broad siding his car.Both where killed instantly..The reason? The truckers alibi was he could not see the light due to the over hanging trees.Yet this is a 35 mph zone and from the skid marks the truck had to be doing at least 50-55 mph...

[Anonymous]

Sir, I have been to the WEB sights that you pointed out. I am still very confused as to were or how you achived your posted data. Can you please clarify? I am begining to believe that you are nothing more then another MIKE P. Are you doing this as a childi***hrill to upset railroaders?

[Anonymous]

Say the people killed persons family gets a million bucks. So what? The railroad saved $10 million in removeing brush, maintenance costs on the gates that WASN'T there, etc...so they still made $9 million in saveings. The death formula cheaper to kill them atitude the railroads use and the Federal officials are tucked right in their pockets. This is the same drivers, pedestrians as involved with other traffic by the way so it has to be a problem with the idiots driveing the trains KNOWING it takes them a mile to stop with the Fred Flintstone brakes. All your doing is causeing lost jobs because every minute you save the robber barons they save a minute paying somebody else to nake the shipment a SAFE shipment!!!

[csxengineer98]

all of the statistices so mike and your supportes....
GO AWAY..THIS IS STARTING TO GET REALY OLD... YOU NEED TO GET A LIFE AND STOP TRYING TO BLAME EVEYONE ELSE... AND ONE MORE THING... GO BACK TO THE TRAILER PARK AND WAIT FOR THE CALL FROM JERRY SPRINGER...
CSX ENGINEER!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

PS
You don't see that many people think that the freeway is an appropriate place to play, why do poeple think that it is perfectly alright for children to play on the railroad tracks... ya, I checked out "angel" site, and to me, it seemed as though they were really trying to say that it is the rail roads fault if a child is killed while the child is playing on the tracks. Thanks to movies like "stand by me". Good movie but it really does give the message that walking along the tracks is fine. I was leaving work the other day and saw a man and his lovely newfy dog walking along the tracks near a bend of an operational wye. I advised him that he ought not to be walking along the tracks...it's not safe. He told me not to worry about it, he always walks his dog along here and that he was "careful". At that point I added, "I'm sure that's what the person I had to try and give futile first aid to would have said a week before she died." He then promtly got off.

[Anonymous]

Nope, I'm sorry, I have to agree with TIM A here... where on earth are you getting these numbers from? I see you put some kind of web site, but purhaps you could try giving your stats in a more comprehensable manner. Telling people a whole bunch of numbers to make you sound impressive is not really all that impressive at all! In stats101 they teach you that you can take any numbers and, given in the right order you can make dumb people very easily swayed to your side.
What is a way to get people to see things the way that you see them is to appeal to their emotional side. Unfortunatly the more tragic emotional sidde I would have to say is on the sidde of the locomotive engineers who cannot stop on a dime or steer out of the way and watch day after day people who ignore gates and lights and sighns. People think their appointments are more important than their lives.
The real solution is not necessarly to put up more crossing gates, (although I do hope that communities will start investing in makeing more bridges over tracks) is to EDUCATE people on the stupidity of trying to beat the train. End of story.

[Anonymous]

I don't think Operation Lifesaver likes me very much there Houston. Shel here is the Ohio Operation Lifesaver guy ex-Highway Patrol Commander. The Operation Lifesaver gal in Maryland should be more careful where she's sending her e-mails. some nut case might get hold of it and send it to ALL of congress. HAHAHA Wonder if Operation Lifesaver people get paid holidays or she is just skipping work?

----- Original Message -----
From: P. Hartle
To: xxxx40
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: It really gets old


Shel, if he's quoting regs, you might want to take some stronger action. You know about this guy right - and what a nut case he is. He's probably being encouraged/pushed by the plaintiff atty group out that way who's messing with OL. He's been mailing all of us. I kept him on just to know what he's doing so I don't get blindsided, but never answer him back. Profanity is not allowed per your server I'm sure, but you might not want to block him just to see what he's up to as well. Good luck. Also, do you have Sandy's email address? I'm leaving in a bit for Em's graduation ceremony, so will be out of town til Monday. good luck!
Pamela Hartle, Executive Director
Maryland Operation Lifesaver
www.oli.org
Remember, trespassing on railroad tracks in MD is not only dangerous -
it's illegal! Stay off! Stay away! Stay alive!

[Anonymous]

Well sir: http://www.ncpa.org/pd/regulat/pd033001b.html first you go here. 1.5 people are killed per 100 million miles traveled a year which is 1 person killed about every 66,667,000 miles rounded off.
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/ Then you go here and do the 1.02 and 1.03 querries. For instance CSX trains traveled just under 110 million miles last year so they should have about 2 deaths recorded right? How about 120! Or one person killed every .92 million miles not 67 million. Comes out to about 72 to 1.Then if you do the Amtraks which run 20 mph faster generally it almost triples. And then the railroads are going around increaseing speeds saying it doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Thanks CSX Injuneer. I get so frusterated by people that have no clue and talk outta their a*ses. While these dildos are nestled snug in their beds, we are away from our families doing our jobs. Sure is easy to riticule and talk sh*it when you don't live the life. I do my job and take pride in what I do. When I come home and I still have all of my arms and legs, stopped my shove short of idiots running the crossing (happened twice today, I guess that it was my fault or the RR's fault for putting that cell phone in that broad's ear!) I call it a good day!
Ken

[Anonymous]

Here's an idea, although not a new one. Make it mandatory for traffic to stop at every grade crossing, active protection or not. That way, Operation Mike Saver's sight distance argument will go away. Then again, he'll say it's the railroads fault for delaying so much traffic.

Also, he would want RR's to pay for the signs when it is obviously a highway dept. issue.

Then, Operation Mike Saver would say that the stop signs are bad because it would take away from his and his ambulance chasing friends business--no leeway to sue with.

Not that the mandatory stop would reduce grade crossing collisions, we see people run gates and lights everyday. But then the Mike's of the world could crawl back under their rocks until they find the next thing to sue about. I think I'll sue my mortgage company for letting me run up so much debt. After all, I'm not responsible for my own actions anymore thanks to lawyers!!!!

And as far as truckers go, most are okay. However, since my last job was unloading trucks, I smelled a lot of "reefer" on quite a few of the drivers and never unloaded a reefer equipped trailer. How many RR'ers would dare do this after Ricky Gates? So I certainly don't want some nitwit telling me about how much more safe trucks are than RRs.

I've said enough--for now.

[csxengineer98]

tim,
its fuzzy math...you know the kind we all use when we file our imcome taxes...lol... to make things look better or worse then they realy are... but remember this... enron got cought doing fuzzy math..and someday the train haters will go the same way
csx engineer

[csxengineer98]

ken,
RIGHT ON BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL PUT!!!
csx engineer!!!

[Anonymous]

Sir,
May I ask were you found the statistics you presented in your last responce? They seem a bit skewed. The way in which you presented these statistics, are you saying trains killed more people then trucks, cars and busses? Who put this report out? I would like to read it.
TIMOTHY ARGUBRIGHT

[edblysard]

Houston to Mars, or where ever your type of life form lives, thanks, that is an even better, more usefull list, and I have a wonderful use for it.
Houston out.

[wabash1]

You keep saying that we are brain washed by the railroad. well as i see it you have yet to prove to me that you are right. i proved my point but you dont see it that way and i am sorry you feel that way in that someone lost their life and you feel it is our fault. the argument you give is that if someone could see how far away that horn and light is that they could have a better chance of beating us at crossings. It is so sad that you are brainwashed into what the lawyers wanted so that they could win their case and you fell into the trap they wanted. and that you still live this fight . but as with all fights you will go away like the hippies of the 70s the flower childs of the 60s what ever that crap was in the 80s. I do have one thing for you to do start a web site to promote your cause and while at it you need to also put a stop to these rice burner cars that these kids think they can hot rod and street race. be usefull and put a stop to toyotas and mazdas street racing before i go deaf from the noise these little cars put out. the only way i have stopped this from happening is getting my z28 camaro out and winning and sending them home. And one last thing get your lawyers out and go help the people in oklahoma sue the tornado people for the over aboundace or storms. oops i just got called to work i guess ill take the race of sight for distance at the crossing and go kill someone tonight so you and yor hungry lawyers can sue me. see you in court.