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Volunteer injured in accident at streetcar museum
I wish this volunteer a speedy and full recovery! Speaking as a former operating volunteer at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, I can say that it’s the efforts and dedication of volunteers like this gent who make these places what they are. This incident serves as a reminder, too, that no matter whether it’s freight, passenger, transit, or preservation rail - safety is always job one.
A few years ago I participated in the Nevada Northern’s engine rental program. One of the safety rules I recall learning in the manual was there had to be a minimum of 50 feet of space in between equipment before a crewman could walk in between. I saw this rule in action on the Sierra Railroad a few weeks ago. After the engine ran around the train at the end of the line, it took five or six tries to successfully make the joint. After each unsuccessful try, the locomotive pulled every inch of 50 feet away before the brakeman went in between to adjust the coupler. Time consuming? Yes. Prudent? You bet. If the museum doesn’t already have a similar rule, I think it’s time to write one.
Best wishes to the volunteer. Hope he’s back on his feet soon.