For the record and my 2 cents Zardoz You dont sell papers or books with out drama. its a fact of life would you buy a book if there was not something in there giving it more than what it is. ( remeber geography) but I do haft to agree that its kinda over done.
That’s a powerful letter and I second that motion and raise you a few: 1). Copy of letter should be displayed, if not presented, by Operation Lifesaver. 2). BLE should send copy of letter to local newspapers everytime a grade crossing or tresspassing incident is published. 3). All police departments, especially railroad security, should have copies of letter and hand out to those who didn’t get hit but got caught. 4). Letter should be presented to public whenever and wherever there is a demand for “quiet zones” or any complaint about blowing for crossings. 5). Be sure all railroad museums and tourist lines get copies to display or give out. 6). Post copies of letter at railroad stations or anyplace the public gathers around a railroad type venue. 7). Compliment and suppliment with more letters from more engineers and train personell who have been aboard an engine that hit a vehichle or a person.
Up until about 8 years ago you had a job to do and they did not haft to relive you now if you want relief they will find a crew. yes it legal and your not being redispatched your still on the same dispatch your just continuing your run. Welcome to the real world of railroading where reality slaps you in the face and kindness and coutesy is fantasy.
Wow…I can’t imagine that happening in the trucking industry. If a truck driver hits a car and there are fatalities that driver would not be asked to continue on his run nor would he be dispatched on some other run. In all likelihood he would be out fo a job…not really fair if it wasn’t his/her fault…but that’s what happens.
[quote user=“zardoz”]
Zardoz, you raise some interesting points.
I wonder if the records of the technical details of this crash exist and are perhaps available to the public. I assume that if the locomotive leaned way over in response to hitting the vehicle, it was because that vehicle was forced under some part of the locomotive and lifted it. If this lifting obstruction wer
Hi everyone my name is Rodney and I have been involved in 2 accdents while running, I still see both of them when I sleep at times I was relived of the train each time, thelast one the whole town was blocked for 3 hours after we were cleared the roadforeman of engines had a trainmaster pick him up after I got the train clear of town. I had 3 days of each time for trauma.
Rodney
Yes the “action” is over done. Hitting someone is a horrible incident, but I’ve never experienced such violent motion.
As to the inaction of the Officer. Today, had that “Officer” not responded to the scene, he would have gotten an “impolite” call from the STO or Assistant DM, if not the Division Manager himself. The Officer on Scene needs to collect crew statements, retrieve the locomotive download, protect Company Property, deal with the “Press”, and shield the train crew from Local Law Enforcement. Not all LEOs are as understanding as those portrayed here. Many times they want to apply highway laws to the train crews, which they cannot. Train crews involved in such incidents fall under FRA rules.
Also today, had the crew requested to be marked off “Critical Incident”, the trainmaster would not be able to refuse. The crew would be off, and he’d have to find another crew. Company guidelines also encourage employees to not say anything other then your Name, and ID until a Company Officer arrives on scene.
Nick
never give your drivers licence to any law inforcement that might want to see if your on a train as part of the crew… it is not required all you need to show them is your FRA engineers card… i have heard stories of guys that did show there licence to the cops only to have a vheical to vheical incident filed with there car insurnce and a major rate jump and weeks and months of fighting with the car insurnce people to have it taken off and the rate redused… you have to be coporotive to a point…but dont give them your motor vhical drivers licence…in fact… i leave it in the glove box of my car when i go to work…that way if there should be an incident…i dont even have it on my persons to give to them…
csx engineer
You are correct, I meant company ID.
Nick
In all cases you dont give them your name at all nor the operators licens. the rule says that only fra agents and company officials will be able to see your licens. ive had a very nice cops. and every cop is nice at the site of the incident. anyways he asked for my name and i told him i could not give that up until a official from my railroad arrives and they are in route. he said you know i can take you to jail i told him i dont think so but if you do it wont do you any good cause this train will still block town and i wont give you my name. that is up to the train master after alittle arguement i won and 20 min later the trainmaster showed up. all the info the cop needed was exchanged when done we all proceded. he came back up and appologized i told him not to think nothing of it as i understand why he did it but did he relize my stand he agreed i was right and said next time he knows how to handle the situation. The railroad in 99% of these wrecks are not at fault but in the first 2 min of the investigation of any cop the railroad can loose the case over stupidity this is why they say for the crew to give no info until a official gets there.