Train vs. truck in Sun City

[ezdays]

The BNSF line runs parallel to Grand Ave (US60) for about 50 miles, from just south of Wickenburg to close to downtown Phoenix. I'm not sure which came first, but it's been this way for around 80 years. The rails and the road come closest through Sun City and for about four or five crossings, where there's only room for one or two cars to clear, waiting for a light to change. Drivers frequently think it's OK to wait on the railroad tracks just beyond the gates, and when a train does come, they usually can't go back or forward. This happens several times a year. This time, at around 4AM today, a pickup truck got creamed and wound up underneath a tank car. Fortunately, the driver jumped out in time, but that's usually not the case since most of those accidents involved Sun City folk, and if they're like me, they couldn't jump over a snake, never mind out of a car. Anyway, here's a link to the story if you're interested click here. There's one interesting photo of the truck under the tank car. I just wonder how they get it out without lifting the car off of it first. :?

[nachoman]

In Flagstaff, the problem was the same, but worse. There, you had mainline BNSF trains travelling high speed, combined with stupidity, and intoxicated folks driving between campus and the downtown bars. I think they have made overpasses for a few crossings, but the ones near downtown are still at grade.

Almost every time I drive along Grand, I see someone block the tracks. And I work next to the light rail, and I can't believe the number of people I see jaywalk across the street and stand in the middle of the tracks while they wait for the other half of the traffic to clear. And these jaywalkers aren't kids or vagrants, they are mostly businessmen wearing pressed slacks and ties.

[ezdays]

In Flagstaff, the problem was the same, but worse. There, you had mainline BNSF trains travelling high speed, combined with stupidity, and intoxicated folks driving between campus and the downtown bars. I think they have made overpasses for a few crossings, but the ones near downtown are still at grade.

Yeah, you're right, there's not much room between the tracks and US66 in the downtown area. There's just a couple of crossings there, one right next to the depot as I recall. The trains are going much faster than they are on Grand, but it doesn't matter, you get hit by a train and it hurts....

Almost every time I drive along Grand, I see someone block the tracks. And I work next to the light rail, and I can't believe the number of people I see jaywalk across the street and stand in the middle of the tracks while they wait for the other half of the traffic to clear. And these jaywalkers aren't kids or vagrants, they are mostly businessmen wearing pressed slacks and ties.

Remember, those guys in suits and ties are important enough that the train should stop to let them cross. These are the same guys that weave in and out of traffic while on the cell phones, or try to get that 1/2 car advantage when crossing Grand. These aren't people trying to beat the train, they are sitting there waiting for a light change when the train comes by and really screws up their day. The worse one I've seen was that picture a few months ago of the vehicle sandwiched between the light rail car and a power pole. I doubt that this is unique to our area.

[MountainMan]

Nope. Light rail in Denver has the same problems.

[ezdays]

Just a follow-up, but the driver of this truck is now sitting on the infamous Joe Arpio's 4th Ave. jail. No, not for the accident, but because he had outstanding warrants. :o I guess it is possible to get arrested for stupidity.

[BR60103]

We had a badly situated crossing in Brampton.
East of the station, the single line divided to run for 10 or 15 miles as double. At the west end of the platform was a level crossing followed by a flat crossing with CPR and a few crossovers. Evening rush hour GO Trains would leave the single track, stop in the platform, and then leave. Not infrequently, there would be an eastbound freight waiting or approaching.
Quite often the freight would arrive at the crossing just after the GO had cleared it. You can imagine the rest -- usually not vehicles as there were crossing gates.

[Sumpter250]

Most sane people would not walk into a Lion's cage, and stand around, unaware !
Why anyone would stand, park, or "sight see", blissfully unaware, between the "bars" of the "Train Monster's Cage".........
I have to confess, I have never been able to reach that level of stupidity, and, have no intention to ever try.

I intend to receive back, every penny ( and all the interest ) that I paid into Social Security, through FICA taxes,....... and then some ! I will not offer myself up as "Train Monster Food"
no "Loitering in the Train Monster's cage for me !!

[Brakie]

Here in Bucyrus the fastest way from a apartment complex and trailer court North of the Sandusky River to downtown is via the NS Sandusky main line from a service road then the CF&E tracks to downtown..I have dubbed this trail "the Ho Chi" simply because it is heavily used by trespassers of all ages since it cuts the distance considerably.

Its a miracle no one has ever been killed or hit on the Ho Chi since this path includes a bridge over the Sandusky River..