Truck Driver Killed By Commuter Train

It's worth a try, and the damage that a couple pounds of chain will do pales in comparison to the 40 ton truck stuck on the tracks.

 

Well that's almost what it sounded like you wanted until you explained the backstory from your childhood.

So, what do you suggest someone do if they're stupid enough to get stuck on the tracks? Yeah, it shouldn't happen in the first place, but what if it does? Is the chain across the tracks not the lesser of two evils? Is there a better, more effective solution to avoiding contact with the truck on the tracks?

 

They do. I live practically on top of a VERY active set of tracks. Trains come by constantly, however one night a storm blew a steel carport onto the tracks. Gates came down, signal lights went red to stop the trains, and you know what? NO TRAINS CAME THROUGH! It was a good 45 minutes before the rain died down and I went out to see what was going on. I grabbed a chain and used my pickup to drag the carport off the tracks, and immediately the gates went up. Carport had been on the tracks for about an hour, and not a single train came through. Usually, there would have been 8-10 in that time. Less than 5 minutes later the trains were rolling through again because once the tracks were clear the signals changed to green.

The railroad doesn't want to crash their trains through anything. When the tracks are blocked, the signal lights turn red to stop the trains. That either happens immediately when you make the electrical connection from one rail to the next, or in 15 minutes after getting through to whoever picks up the phone after navigating the automated menu and trying to explain which specific crossing you're calling about. Go ahead and call 911...then it'll be 20 minutes, because after you get done talking to the dispatcher, they'll have to go through the same process with the railroad. Then, once the railroad figures out where you are, they switch the signals to red and stop the trains...which you could've done 20 minutes sooner with a chain. I've seen plenty of videos of people on the phone with the railroad as a train comes through...could have been avoided if they had simply triggered the system that is in place to warn trains of an obstruction ahead before placing that call. Would have taken 2 extra seconds, but could have potentially saved their vehicle AND the train.

Hell, I've heard 5 trains go by just in the time it took to type this post. Here comes another one...so make that 6.

 

I don't think a piece of chain matters if you got 40 ####ing tons on the tracks, a chain that could prevent damage to both train and rig.

 

The first smartest thing to do would to not be on the tracks to begin with. Refuse the offload if it means backing up over the tracks. I've done both; refused unsafe offloads as well as backed over/straddled tracks. BUT the only time I've been in the position to be working on tracks is when the appropriate signals are in place to shut down all movement on that section.

The second smartest thing would have been to drive off the tracks the second those bells started ringing. Unfortunately, this driver was a victim of his own poor decisions and lack of forethought... "what if...?" Use tools like the Smith System, not just for driving, but as a decision making process in all aspects of your work.

Thirdly, I would agree with @Pedigreed Bulldog that IF you are stuck on the tracks (which was NOT the case in this situation), then laying a chain, bar, etc., across the tracks (aka: "signal shunting") AND calling the railway immediately may prevent a significant loss or even tragedy. Will there be consequences? Most likely yes, but it is certainly better than the alternative.

 

Truck stalled over the track ahead is probably somewhat less of an emergency than a train occupying the track ahead, and might not warrant the immediate application of as much braking power as the train has to offer.

Would you want to brake as hard for Bambi hopping out in front of you as you would for a tanker losing control in front of you?