Perhaps its hard to imagine the engineer of a 6000 ton freight train as helpless...

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/4rails.html

dd

2

Interesting story.

It also shows how the train crew feels about these so called accidents.

3

I think putting a reporter in the cab on a typical trip through Austin was one of the wisest PR/Safety moves I have seen. I thought it was an excellent article and it points out upcomming problems as they bring their commuter rail into operation.

dd

4

Nice to see an article that has been written to the postive side of the train crews. Glad the did the ride along, help show how osme poeple really dont seem to get it.

5

When I was in Austin I saw a truck go around the gates even though the bells were going & the lites were blinking & the air horn was blaring. I timed the train & it took 1min 06seconds to free up the crossing. I would think that is not a lot of time to wait when your life hangs in the balance. There are some who would say it is part of the natural selection process. [:D]

6

I live in Austin. Cap Metro is planning to run commuter rail from Leander/Cedar Park to downtown Austin. My prediction is that they are going to get a car a week on the crossing near 45th Street and Airport Blvd. 45th runs into Airport at that location with a traffic light at the intersection. There is room for one car on the Airport side of the AUAT tracks. Two cars might well leave the back end of one a little too close to the crossing. But, I have seen idiot after idiot stop on the grade crossing itself to wait for the traffic light. The only reason that there hasn’t been a fatality every week at that grade crossing is that the rail line is currently light traffic with about one train per day. But, once commuter trains begin to run on that bit of rail line, it is likely to “Katie, bar the door!”

7

51st is also bad for that

dd

8

Great article.

9

But you know that the people who need to read the article won’t…

10

My son lives in Austin & I will be there between June 05 thru June 12 if you would like to connect. Is there anywhere in south Austin where there is a passing siding or is just 1 track from Lamarr southward?

11

I have a very simple rule,if its bigger the me I keep out of its way and It gets to go first under all conditions.

Dave
Omaha,Nebr.

12

Very good article, thanks for posting the link.

It is another reminder of all the crazy drivers and how they are willing to risk not only their life but the lives of those around them.