1 Dead in Oklahoma Train Wreck

[ottergoose]

KOCO is reporting one dead and four injured in a train wreck near HWY66 and Richland Road west of Yukon, OK. Looks like quite a few cars are off of the track, which I believe belongs to UP.

Video from the scene: http://www.channeloklahoma.com/video/index.html

My thoughts are with the families of the victims.

[ottergoose]

more info: http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/7777241/detail.html

[vsmith]

Another grade crossing accident.

Gravel train hit a dump truck, killed the driver, gravel hoppers stacked like an accordian, gravel everywhere according to the reporter. At least the crew wasn't killed.

Looks like a real big mess.

[Anonymous]

Last report had the engineer and conductor at the hospital in stable condition. I was at a grade crossing for the BNSF on the Cherokee Sub in Claremore Oklahoma yesterday and my scanner picked up a detector 3 miles west of the grade crossing. I knew a train was coming, but no one else did. This crossing is at a major intersection in town and it was 430pm. There were cars on the crossing at a red light when the warning lights activated. The train was about 1/4 mile from the crossing. The traffic light is set to flash red in conjuction with the warning lights. But this does not allow the intersection to clear thus clearing the crossing. Two cars had to go in opposing traffic lanes to get off the crossing before the train arrived. The engineer was on the horn for a long time before the warning lights activated, but no one responded until the lights activated and the gates came down.

The City and BNSF need to correct these types of crossings. Claremore Oklahoma is also on route 66. It paralels the right of way and many crossinging are like this one. They were poorly designed and nothing has been done to correct them. I don't always buy the vehicle was trying to beat the train argument. I think there needs to be better protection. Period! Luckly, the timetable restricts to 30 mph through Claremore until clear of grade crossings, but that still isn't good enough because of the design of the crossing and intersection. The Railroad's have to take ownership along with the cities to improve these crossings. Incidently since I knew the train was coming, I timed how long it took from the first time I was able to hear the horn until the train occupied the crossing and was amazed it was only 11 seconds. The drivers were esentualy trapped on the crossing and if they did not go into the other lane of traffic, they would have been hit as well.

Just to be clear, I place no blame on the crew's. It is well out of their hands.

Just my .02

Mike in Tulsa
BNSF Cherokee Sub

[prospekt mira]

No should be stopped on a crossing on a red light in the first place. Every driving exam book I've ever seen says don't enter a crossing (or an intersection) unless there's enough space on the other side. Do they give away driving licences in boxes of cheerios these days?

[ouengr]

They need to use a traffic management system that links the grade crossing to the traffic signals and allows for a green traffic light to clear the crossing well in advance of a crossing. I agree that drivers should be responsible and not stop on a grade crosssing, but a lot of drivers are simply idiots. I have worked as a civil engineer on projects in Clarmore and I must agree that the railroad signals need improvment. Fortunately there is a plan on the books to replace manhy of the crossings with bridges. Unfortunately this will take decades.

[richardy]

Expect a train at any time on any track from any direction. It is illeagal to stop on the tracks, you can never do enough to protect stupid people.

[David_Telesha]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ouengr

They need to use a traffic management system that links the grade crossing to the traffic signals and allows for a green traffic light to clear the crossing well in advance of a crossing. I agree that drivers should be responsible and not stop on a grade crosssing, but a lot of drivers are simply idiots. I have worked as a civil engineer on projects in Clarmore and I must agree that the railroad signals need improvment. Fortunately there is a plan on the books to replace manhy of the crossings with bridges. Unfortunately this will take decades.

They do.....

[Anonymous]

If people were more resonsible we prorably wouldn't be having as many of these tragic things like this. MY thoughts and prayers go out to the Train Crew.

[Anonymous]

as the saying goes...LOOK LISTEN & LIVE.

Of course some people think someone else should do it for them.

dean (newbie here just putting in 2 cents)

[wabash1]

when they give out a driver lic it replaces common sense. its not written down or told to ya. you just haft to exspect it. ( and dont look inocent you know you lost your brains for a while also ) some find thier brains before others some are just luckier than others. then there is these stories. truth is there should be know close calls people should be held acountable for their actions. not everyone else.