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Its crazy..... and I doubt if I can find it again........but there is a website with a record of all Grade crossing accidents and the details of the same on an FRA {federal railroad administration} website.
The town of Nescopeck, PA, where I spent my formative years, and still spend many of my weekends, is situated on what was once the Pennsylvania Railroad's principal approach to New England and Atlantic Canada, The Pennsylvania - New York Central merger of 1968 reduced the line's importance, and it went through several changes of ownership before being revived as part of Norfolk Southern. This included a decade (1989-1989) while when the line saw use as little as once a week, while culm (low grade coal) was salvaged from fills and embankments, and fiber-optic cable was laid next to the roadbed.
But in that last year of dormancy, the line was completely rebuilt, speeds upgraded from 15-20 to 40 MPH, and train frequency increased to as many as eight moves daily. The railroad anticipated safety concerns, installed flashing signals and gates at a number of previously-less-protected crossings, and posted public notices in the local post offices and other civic buildings.
Extrapolating from previous experience, it was anticipated that about six fatalities could be expected in the first few years of operation; as it turned out, there were only three of which I am aware -- two at a crossing for which equipment for an upgrade was on order, and one at a private driveway. To the best of my knowledge, there have been none since. Point being, that when circumstances under which a hazard develops take place, the local population isn't always quick to recognize it.
I remember coming up on a crossing where the view was blocked by trees; you couldn't see down the tracks until you were right up at the crossing.
I was driving at whatever the speed limit was, and as I entered the crossing, I looked over and was horrified to see a train just a few feet away! I floored it and crossed safely . . . and then realized that the train was stopped. But still, it took some time to get my heart beat back to normal. I can't imagine what it must have been like for that truck driver . . . or, for that matter, the train engineer.
Exactly my thoughts! (in response to post below) One cannot assume things are always black and white!
Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke
Because it was an invisible train?
Railroad tracks do not make sharp corners. The train did not suddenly appear around a 90 degree bend or come up out of the ground.
Trains are really big. You can see a train coming from quite a distance away. When you get to a railroad crossing, look both ways. You don't have to stop to do it. It's no different than crossing a road. You glance in both directions to make sure no one else is coming that might hit you.
It doesn't have to be a 90 degree bend - could be quite rounded and yet cutting off the visibility completely, if there is something tall in front of that turn.
I have had a long time irrational fear of tracks and the possibility of a malfunction of gates.
Lots of tracks in my neck of the woods and I tend to break and slow down and look both ways before proceeding. My husband says he is going to buy me a school bus stop sign to flip when I do this.
I know it ticks off the driver behind me.
This video validates my fear. Can you imagine being in that cab?
You are not the least bit irrational, and you're doing the right thing in being extra cautious. I do it, too, and I don't really care that I **** off other drivers.
Exactly my thoughts! (in response to post below) One cannot assume things are always black and white!
It doesn't have to be a 90 degree bend - could be quite rounded and yet cutting off the visibility completely, if there is something tall in front of that turn.
Looking at the video it appears there is a rather long building that may have prevented the truck driver from having a good view of the tracks for any distance. By the time he's past the building he's also probably past the point of quickly stopping a heavy tandem (?) truck on a snowy road.
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