I have just seen an appalling video on Twitter; a young woman was taking a selfie as 2816 and train were approaching, and while composing the reverse shot got too close to the track. She made what looked like no more than incidental contact with the right cylinder, but was unresponsive and, by reports, killed on impact.
Publicity events like this need to be very limited in scope, closely managed and well coordinated. The locomotive should have been run on very short stretches only, at slow speed, with security all along trackside. That's just the way it is nowadays..
Railroads and their rights of way are DANGEROUS - all the time, every time.
When you enter railroad property - you have to have your mind 'in the game'; this applies no matter if you are an employee or a visitor. Feature operating steam engines are even more dangerous than diesels as they have varying side width and exposed spinning and sliding machinery which can easily maim or kill the unwary.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I agree. And didn't we just see exactly the same kind of accident on the UP a few short years ago?
Same me, different spelling!
Ulrich Publicity events like this need to be very limited in scope, closely managed and well coordinated. The locomotive should have been run on very short stretches only, at slow speed, with security all along trackside. That's just the way it is nowadays..
Backshop Ulrich Publicity events like this need to be very limited in scope, closely managed and well coordinated. The locomotive should have been run on very short stretches only, at slow speed, with security all along trackside. That's just the way it is nowadays.. Stupid people would still do stupid things and wind up as contestants for the Darwin Award.
Stupid people would still do stupid things and wind up as contestants for the Darwin Award.
True.. and that's all the more reason to curtail these types of activities. From the footage I've seen there were lots of people milling about the track, pointing cameras, grabbing selfies etc. People haven't changed over the years, but our tolerance (as a society) for risk and loss has.
This happened in Hidalgo, Mexico during the 2816 tour.
- Ed Kyle
I disagree about stopping events like this or cutting back on access.
We see the same issues in National Parks. Someone falls from a cliff or is attacked by wildlife, trying to get that 'special' photo.
We can't protect everyone from everything.
York1 John
York1 I disagree about stopping events like this or cutting back on access. We see the same issues in National Parks. Someone falls from a cliff or is attacked by wildlife, trying to get that 'special' photo. We can't protect everyone from everything.
It would depend on the event and on who is putting it on. Was the CPKC steam extravanganza worth it in light of what happened? Some might think so.. that the death of one careless women is part of the price to be paid..i.e. collateral damage..for publicity and exposure. Others might argue not.
The rising cost to insure such events along with the risk of expensive and prolonged litigation are also factors that tend to discourage would be organizers. We used to have an annual truckshow here...every year.. it was all fun and entertaining until some kid split his head open playing around on some equipment. I know I know.. kids.. booze.. loud music.. heavy equipment.. what could possibly go wrong?
CPKC has been having the diesels lead since that incident.
Ed KyleThis happened in Hidalgo, Mexico during the 2816 tour. - Ed Kyle
With the incident happening in Mexico - some would say the people are less than human. They would be wrong, but that is the way they think.
The Union Pacific turned a tragedy into a learning (Public safety) experience:
https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/selfie-tragedy-12-7-2016.htm
I just can't imagine what the crew had to deal with.
Regards, Ed
gmpullmanThe Union Pacific turned a tragedy into a learning (Public safety) experience: https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/selfie-tragedy-12-7-2016.htm I just can't imagine what the crew had to deal with. Regards, Ed
Unfortunately for operating crews - it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.
Very, Very few people operating train crews will complete their careers without being involved in a incident that will cause the death or severe injury to one or more people. It may be a vehicle incident, it may be a trespasser, it may be a fellow employee.
Before my carrier implemented PSR, employees involved in such situations were granted 'Critical Incident Relief' which gives them some time off of the job as well as psychological counseling - it is not the total answer but it is something to help employees deal with their emotions and feelings when they become involved in such a situation. I hope Critical Incident Relief was continued after EHH set foot on the property as there is some cost cutting that is really throat cutting.
BaltACDUnfortunately for operating crews - it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.
Bitterly true Balt, and for some train crews more than others.
Even though I don't live in NJ anymore I still check the local news sites just to keep up with "What's going on?" and it seems at least once a month there's a pedestrian strike on NJ Transit rail. There was one reported yesterday.
Railroads, commuter or otherwise, can only do so much in keeping the public informed of the hazards of getting careless around the tracks. When all's said and done you just can't save some people from themselves.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/paramus/pedestrian-killed-by-train-in-bergen-county-nj-transit-says/
UP did an excellent job writing that article.
Rule #1 expect a train on any track at any time.
#2 never turn your back on a train, moving or not.
#3 if you're taking pictures or videos, let the camera do it's work while you keep your eyes watching your surroundings for danger.
#4 DON'T TRESPASS!
All good points Becky. I think I'd add a #5.
"Don't be fooled, it's coming faster than you think it is!"
Ever notice that optical illusion of an approaching mainline train? The headlight just seems to hang there, and hang there, and hang there, and then the train's right on top of you! Plenty of video examples out there.
Flintlock76All good points Becky. I think I'd add a #5. "Don't be fooled, it's coming faster than you think it is!" Ever notice that optical illusion of an approaching mainline train? The headlight just seems to hang there, and hang there, and hang there, and then the train's right on top of you! Plenty of video examples out there.
As a Train Order Operator handing up orders at night - you become accutely aware of the phenomenon.
Wouldn't #4 cover it all?
BackshopWouldn't #4 cover it all?
Presumably while waiting for a train at Harpers Ferry, or at least on a platform where the public may be expected:
Some people can't be helped, or at least just don't get it.
Situational awareness!
Widen tunnels and bridges so locomotives can have big foam bumpers on the pilot beam to knock morons out of the way? A sort of foolcatcher where a cowcatcher once presided? How about life saver fenders like street cars used to have? Electronic chips implanted at birth to produce severe pain before you walk into the path of an oncoming train?
Should we return to the early 20th Century where life was cheap?
Sorta related and not worth starting a new thread over. There's a FB group dedicated to outing and making fun of foamers. It's fascinating. It seems like some locals think that they "own" the shelter at Rochelle. One has been known to "soil" himself so that he won't miss a train. There are rabid fans for the heritage units. It goes on and on... For anyone looking for some entertainment, it's "The Idiots of Railfanning". It turns from funny to pathetic quite quickly...
BackshopIt turns from funny to pathetic quite quickly...
It's the 4Chan of foaming.
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
BaltACDShould we return to the early 20th Century where life was cheap?
No-one's suggesting that Balt, no-one's suggesting that at all.
But do you remember what I said about how sometimes you just can't save people from themselves?
https://youtu.be/aEAZIuZKvcE?si=urRCovnA_an-4vII
I AM tempted to say they sure know how to throw a party!
I also heard at one point, that a few people started throwing rocks at Her Empress, but, it seems it has been just superstition. Moral of the story, never bring her into Mexico again.
Overmod I have just seen an appalling video on Twitter; a young woman was taking a selfie as 2816 and train were approaching, and while composing the reverse shot got too close to the track. She made what looked like no more than incidental contact with the right cylinder, but was unresponsive and, by reports, killed on impact.
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