Teditor wrote: There seems to be some inference that locomotive engineers are at fault by hanging on the horn, if we think about normal reactions to situations, don't you think the engineeers emotions also go into high gear, just because your'e in a 200 ton locomotive doesn't always mean you are automatically the winner, survival instincts take over in the cab of the loco too.But in their case, it means riding out the situation, jumping or swerving is not usually an option and the natural reaction is to throw the brakes into emergency and hang on the horn, from there on, momentum and fate take over. (been there, done that!).
There seems to be some inference that locomotive engineers are at fault by hanging on the horn, if we think about normal reactions to situations, don't you think the engineeers emotions also go into high gear, just because your'e in a 200 ton locomotive doesn't always mean you are automatically the winner, survival instincts take over in the cab of the loco too.
But in their case, it means riding out the situation, jumping or swerving is not usually an option and the natural reaction is to throw the brakes into emergency and hang on the horn, from there on, momentum and fate take over. (been there, done that!).
Out here on the SRT, many engineers and firemen run into the engine room behind the cab and luck it out when they see tractor-trailers rig or ten-wheel trucks who disregard crossing protections and many has lost their lives in the line of duty in grade crossing accident.
FYI, All of SRT's locos tip the scale at around 80-90 metric tons so when they tangle with loaded tractor-trailers or ten wheel trucks(around 30-40 metric tons). The result is ugly, the loco is derailed and banged up sometimes beyond repair
TomDiehl wrote: Probably not as common as you'd think. No scientific study needed, just simple logic. Most railroad crossing are rather rough, and many drivers slow to almost a crawl to go across them. This is the most likely time for a car to stall out, especially if it's in need of a tune up.
Probably not as common as you'd think.
No scientific study needed, just simple logic. Most railroad crossing are rather rough, and many drivers slow to almost a crawl to go across them. This is the most likely time for a car to stall out, especially if it's in need of a tune up.
This is why I keep my 1995 Ford F-350 in the best shape I can and also why I put in a new off-road suspension, so I dont have to crawl over railroad crossings.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
Jock Ellis Cumming, GA US of A Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers
Sometimes it is not a matter of the car stalling on the tracks, but a way of getting the insurance company to pay for the car. Usually after a car/train collision there is not much left of the car and there is no way to find out if the car actually stalled. As a road foreman of engines, I have investigated many crossing accidents. A few of those turned out to be insurance scams because the person that owned the car could not afford the payments or they wanted a new car. This information I found out thru the claim agent that was assigned to the case.
Bob
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