Truck gets in way of Amtrak Tr #851

[blue streak 1]

Train hits truck carrying Anhydrous amonia but no leaks.  Engineer and truck driver slightly hurt.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/amtrak-train-crashes-in-white-county

 

[Phoebe Vet]

We need to begin a program to eliminate at grade crossings.  People are not smart enough to be allowed to drive across RR tracks.

[henry6]

Or conntinue this program of elminiating people...the stupid ones!

 

[schlimm]

henry6

Or conntinue this program of elminiating people...the stupid ones!

You just don't get it.  it isn't about just protecting foolish drivers from the trains.  it is about protecting the trains.  What if the truck had been carrying a flammable or explosive substance?  bye bye train crew and maybe 50+ passengers.  Want to give a "Darwin Award" for that?  The stupidity is in NOT having a program to achieve total separation between road and rail.

[henry6]

Schlimm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am being sarcastic!   

[Phoebe Vet]

I know that it would take a VERY long time because of the enormity of the task, but if I may quote the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu, (604 BC - 531 BC)   "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

A good start would be to eliminate the crossing involved every time a collision occurs.  That way we could eliminate the most abused crossings first.

[BaltACD]

blue streak 1

Train hits truck carrying Anhydrous amonia but no leaks.  Engineer and truck driver slightly hurt.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/amtrak-train-crashes-in-white-county

 

The article posted in the company news wire, from a paper more local to the happening, stated it was NOT a truck.  It was a farm tractor pulling a Anhydrous Amonia fertilizter spreading tank.....

[schlimm]

henry6

Schlimm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am being sarcastic!   

henry: I figured so, but beyond your comment, IMO, this is an issue which needs to be addressed seriously, as Phoebe Vet has suggested.

[blue streak 1]

Phoebe Vet

A good start would be to eliminate the crossing involved every time a collision occurs.  That way we could eliminate the most abused crossings first.

 Let us expand on this.  At every crossing that has a crossing collision the FRA could declare the crossing  a threat to interstate commerce.   Once a crossing is so declared a maximum of 18 months for what ever transportation  entity owns the approaches to  the crossing would have to complete the engineering for an elimination of the crossing.  Construction contract issued within 6 more months with completiion by 12 months maximum.  If schedule not met FRA could declare that crossing is closed and no substituted crossing allowed. Another collision at same place could speed up this process. 

If a simple closing of the crossing would be best then after 6 months of declaration the last outfit responsible for collision would have to errect acceptable barriers that would prevent crossing ever being used again.    

Just a NPRM ( notice of proposed rule making )  for this FRA rule would get the attention of persons all over the country. 

The FRA could exempt very light traffic routes and industrial spurs at their discression for that collision that would be subject to review if another collision occurred.   Now There would certainly be challenges and who knows if such a rule would be possible to be issued under present law ?  Amtrak routes  could certainly be at the top of a hit list

[schlimm]

Sounds like a sensible plan.