Another Train vs Truck

I agree that some common sense and foresight looks to prevent that accident. If I simply looked at the pic and knew nothing else, I'd probably say something like, "idiot or rookie?"
I just keep going back to that article that says it's happening often.
There has to be a reason.

 

There probably was a sign behind a tree or bush or another sign.

Or there was a sign but no available detour? You come upon a sign like that with no turn around what do you do? Go in reverse?

 

Last summer I was in N Iowa...long story, but I ended up on a two lane country road and came face to face with a combine coming the other way. He was pulling two grain wagons, so backing up for him wasn't an option.
I ended up backing up close to a half mile before we came to a spot where we could both doseydoe and get past each other.
In answer to your question?
Yes. Back up.

 

I would much rather back up (when possible) than get stuck on tracks. At Kirschenman Farms cooler in Edison, Ca there is a picture of a black Pete with a famous baseball pitchers name stuck across the road. Their is specific instructions for drivers to not pull up and across the road.

He did. I will get a pic of this and post when i go back their.


I would say we have another person on the unemployment lines after this one.

 

A bad habbit of some drivers is to NOT roll the landing gear up all the way. Did the article not say his gear was wedged?

Hazmat regs require me to stop between 15 and 50 ft of the garde crossing, look both ways, select the appropriate gear and cross without changing gears.

Failure to do so and witnessed by deputy dawg gets me a $250 fine and loss of CDL for 90 days , first conviction.

 

What I don't get is...what's the hurry? If I'm going somewhere strange then I read and ask..... and ask again.....

But in fairness...yes I have backed a long way to avoid a situation.

 

I am not the first to say it, but yes, 'back up' and go around,,, somehow. Note how they said :""There's a high grade right here,,, trailer got hung up and the metal braces grooved in."

He 'grooved in', because he was jerkin' it HARD. He 'went for it'. tsk, tsk, tsk...he thought he'd jerk the whole thang over the track ... Sheesh.


There is such a thing as 'putting on your 4-ways' and scanning the track for an oncoming train. If no train coming, ease-up on the track to see if the landing gear touches. If you have a partner with you, they can 'spot' the landing gear for you, while you ease up. You probably will be alone, tho.
So, you might have to get in and out of the truck a couple times to see if you are high enough to clear the tracks. DO IT. DO IT. Better to be smart about it, right? than be stupid about it, as this guy did.

I highly, highly recommend you FIRST stop a safe distance BEFORE the tracks, get out and notify the car behind you of what you are about to do, and ask them to NOT MOVE and 'block and SAVE your space', because you MIGHT HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY BACK UP into your existing spot IF YOUR MANEUVER DOESN'T WORK.

Make sure they understand this!!! You'll need that current space to back up if your landing gear isn't going to clear!! Think about it. I for one, have done this. (I get out and talk to people all the time when I'm in a bind) lol People in this world are 'cool'. Don't sweat it.

You don't want to bury that landing gear up in the roadbed as this guy did, or get stuck somehow in the steel rails. You might have to call the local Police for their help if you ease up on the track and you can't make it over; you might need their help in backing up. Your decision.
The Police will help you, trust me. Odds are they won't write you a ticket, but merely turn their disco lights on and block traffic while you back it up 'x' distance to a turnaround spot.

THAT'S 'what you do'. There is no other method,,,,unless you have the 'fly helicopter in/ or the UFO move-it maneuver. Hope this helps.

Been there done that. Hauled that, too.

 

Well at least it wasn't a total loss, he saved the tractor and the reefer unit.