Runaway Ramps

Never used one but have heard the old wives tale of the family that thought one of the ramps coming down Cabbage was a good place for a picnic (the view of the valley is fantastic on the way down). The story goes that a LEO came across them, and told them what the ramp was for, and removed them from the premises.

 

I've seen 3-4 over the years. I can't imagine how it happens? It takes some major screwing up or a complete panic.

The last one I've seen was on Monteagle on the very first runaway. All I could assume is he attempted a downshift, missed and it got away from him?

 

Last fall I had a smoker race past me down Donner with smoke coming off all 10 drums, he was even losing brake material. Never saw him in a ramp so I don't know how he stopped.

 

Saw one on Eisenhower.....

He went up a LONG way. I swear he had flames coming off the brakes when he rolled past me in a cloud of smoke.

I'd rather go slow and steady down.

 

If there was a ramp to be had I've seen a few after the fact that ought to
have used one other then that, tracks into or out but never witnessed it.

for some reason accidents and all seem to come and go like seasons

 

Heard this one a few times..have to call it a fairy tale..a car would never make it thru the gravel more than a foot or so.

 

Agreed and can't imagine that a picnic on the side of I-84 to the tune of truck Jacobs Brakes would be that nice.

 

Thank god for escape ramps.I have never seen a trk there on the ramp.But nice there are escape ramps.The more steeper mountains usually you'll see 2 ramps back to back.

 

back in the early 90's saw a flatbed at the top of the ramp on fancy gap going southbound..cant imagine what had happened that he made it all the way to the end of the ramp.. btw he had on sheet steel and he didnt loose the load..