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once again it is the silver star. is it just me or what---it seems like everytime i hear about an amtrak train derailment, it is on the nyc-miami line, either silver meteor or silver star.
The Chief Member # 2172
posted Silver Star hits truck, kills driver engineer critically injured.
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When are southerners going to learn how to drive? Especially log trucks?
Eric Member # 674
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This is all we need. I hope the crew and passengers are alright (and that the engineer recovers quickly). Geez, I was listening to the radio this afternoon, and I turned it off when the news began, and thought, "I have a feeling there was some kind of Amtrak story." I didn't turn it back on, but I'd rather hear the news from fellow railfans and people knowledgable on the subject, anyway. My prayers for those involved.
MPALMER Member # 125
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"When are southerners going to learn how to drive?"
Unfortunately this kind of accident can happen anywhere on the system, not just in the south. There have been similar-type accidents with farm vehicles at rural crossings in California, although in at least two of those cases the vehicles were smaller and the trains did not derail.
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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Okay, here goes. (Why don't they look, Ralph? Tell me, why don't they look?)
November 1989: Crescent versus fire truck. Ugly, both ways. Two firemen killed. Train 88, November 30, 1993: Low-clearance trailer gets hung up on grade crossing, nobody calls CSX for 25 minutes, train comes around the corner at speed, massive collision. 306 eats it, operating crew injured, along with numerous passengers. Operating crew escapes certain death by ducking into the engine compartment before impact. Silver Star, sometime in 1993: poor coordination of a construction zone backs up traffic across a grade crossing; Hess truck gets blocked in and struck; it explodes, six people waiting at the crossing burn to death, roasty toasty dining car. It's called Maintenance and Protection of Traffic, folks. Train 81, May 2, 1995: Log truck driver decides to go home, landing gear gets hung up on private grade crossing, nobody calls CSX for 25 minutes, massive collision, entire train goes on the ground, numerous crew and passenger injuries. Train 59, March 15, 1999: John Stokes. Say no more. Fifteen passengers killed including a number of children. I believe it was Jewel that penned the song Who Will Save Your Soul. Train 97, November 17, 2000: the SAME power company tries to transport ANOTHER low-clearance truck over the SAME crossing as '93, they STILL don't call CSX to protect the crossing, Amtrak engineer sees traffic on adjoining road backed up and makes a full service application of his train brakes, then hits the handle as he comes around the corner, fairly massive collision, numerous crew and passenger injuries, NTSB scratches their head wondering how this could happen twice in the same place with the same company... My point... June 2002, Silver Service train hits log truck in SC, the usual explanation about unmarked crossings and I never seen it commin'... Fairly massive collision, train hits the roadbed, passenger and crew injuires, (sigh) seeen it.... September 20, 2002: Tractor trailer cannot stop in time for grade crossing, runs into side of Crescent, tractor fuel tanks ruptured, two locomotives (and fortunately NOT the operating crew) burnt to a crisp May 2003, Train 91: train hits log truck, massive collision, blah blah blah, first time I've seen Viewliners sideways and they did their job but seeing a smooth-side diner in there doesn't help, truck driver eats it, passenger and crew injuries, et cetera. Of course the news focuses on the reliable stories of passengers eager to get on camera instead of relaying facts about the accident.
The absolutely worst part of this story is that the engineer of yesterday's train did not recover quickly. He is dead.
When is it going to end? I talk to engineers regularly and they have to deal with the anxiety that they won't come back because somebody doesn't know what a STOP sign does. How do I know I won't be the last person to talk to them face-to-face? How would that make you feel as a railfan and a human?
[This message has been edited by Amtrak207 (edited 05-07-2003).]
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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We had the Starlight smash into a produce truck in Monterey County a few months ago, so it is certainly not limited to any particular region.
But what gets me is the number of so-called "professional" truck drivers that pull in front of trains like this. These are the same guys who complain about idiot automobile drivers pulling in front of them. Trucks smash cars, trains smash trucks. The principle is the same.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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It's sad to here when people die as a direct result of someone elses incompetence. I just read an article that Amtrak is finally starting to get along term plan to repair some damaged equipment and what happens? another derailment. Will Amtrak ever win? God bless those who parish in any accident...God knows they don't deserve it.
[This message has been edited by Italiancanuck89 (edited 05-07-2003).]
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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Next time you're in Washington, D. C., sit back and stare at the plaque in Union Station for a while. Just keep reading it. I haven't seen it in six years; I believe I am overdue.
atsf3751 Member # 1538
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There have been a number of serious train/truck collisions involving Surfliner and Metrolink trains out this way too, most recently a Metrolink that stuck a truck and derailed in the San Fernando valley. Why does it always seem to be a passenger train in the wrong place at the wrong time? And the news media show their typical lack of understanding, usually pointing out that either the crossing didn't have gates or the driver "didn't hear the horn," seemingly making it out to be the railroad's fault. Folks, the train ain't going anywhere but the track! Whatever happened to "stop, look and listen?"
The best way to eliminate all those train/truck collisions? Put the freight on the train!
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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I have seen so many trucks overhanging the Taft crossing in Orange, California. It has gates and everything but it is still very dangerous. A traffic light usually backs up traffic and many a time the usual SoCal motorist will wait on the tracks! It worries me so much that I won't take Metrolink if it uses the Orange Olive/Atwood route. I'm astounded that there hasn't been a colision there yet. (Maybee there has, I just don't know about it) And the train speed there is close to 60mph! Stay tuned because it is going to happen at this crossing soon. I've just seen too many careless drivers at this crossing.
MPALMER Member # 125
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SW Chief,
I understand your points, but avoiding riding the train because of a certain grade crossing along its route? Sure, there's some element of danger involved, but that can be said about most other lines too.
While driving I avoid certain intersections & interchanges (Northbound 405 to Southbound 110 is poorly designed) but that does not mean I would give up driving entirely due to the risks.
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