They had placed MANY objects on the tracks including tie plates, rail anchors wrapped around the rail head, spikes, rocks, etc. They were shunting our signals with a sign post that was laying across the rails. This was on an overpass over a busy road. It could have been bad news had we hit those rail anchors just right. They were still standing on the bridge when I came around the curve. The police officer said they are "spoiled rich kids and their parents will not do anything to correct the problem."
Hmmm how much trouble would I have been in getting off the power and flipping out like David Banner turning into the Incredible Hulk?I would have blistered that girls ears and her friends and that woman standing there like why is the train stopped?Camera boy needed to do the same thing IMHO> I have almost creamed a person. Not a great feeling. Cant beat the rich kids. The cops will hear " My FATHER is a lawyer or he knows the mayor or.... well you get the picture.Of course if you run over one your facing a lawsuit. You know their pristine children are pure as the wind driven snow!
I'd like to clear something up. Only the engineer sees & reacts to these situations. The conductor & brakeman have no involvement in any of the train handling. They have no idea what's happening until they feel the train go into emergency. Then if a trespasser has been struck, its the conductors job to leave the train & investagate the situation. That includes walking the train to make sure its still on the tracks & find a body or pieces of, find a vehicle ,etc. The engineer doesn't leave the cab once the accident has occured.
I've had conductors tell me they're not going back. I'll go if I have to. Probably have a mouthful of sunflower seeds with me.
I'm probably going to ruffle feathers here and if so, I apologize ahead of time...but I've seen these kinds of rants before and I've gotta tell you folks...they really steam my windows. I've known enough guys on both sides of the fence to know that hiding behind cruelty and mean-spirited trash talk is NOT what does anyone any good. Those kids were wrong, criminally stupid and what they did was deadly dangerous but the answer to fixing it is not to just let them die. We as the "adults" in the room have a responsibility to teach them, not call them idiots and watch the train run them down. The idea that because they're young, foolish, uncomprehending of danger and inexperienced...because of that they should get a death sentance...just for being pretty much what everybody is at one time or another boggles my mind. I guess I'd agree with that last part anyway... . ..and the 'herd' will surely appreciate their sacrifice. Ummm...right. You first. I'd prefer learning that was a little less likely to destroy the learner. I'm really sorry but that's one of the coldest, cruelest, most inhuman things I've ever heard. The thought that someone could actually suggest it makes me nauseous. Nobody...and I mean NOBODY needs to be involved in anything like watching someone go under the nose. ...and that's why we're supposed to TEACH people, especially children to use their head for something besides a hat rack. Hell, we all did dumb things when we were young and anyone who denies it is a liar. If you're lucky enough to not HAVE to experience every bad thing for yourself, it's because someone told you what would happen and you were smart enough to believe it or you lived through it by sheer luck. ...unless they happen to be YOUR kids or the kids of someone you care about...or it ends a career because the pictures keep running through your head...or a parent gets to bury their kid because of a stupid mistake... Like I said...the "Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out" mentality that sometimes crawls into these kinds of things really pushes my buttons so again I apologize if I'm over the top. But when normally (alledgedly) reasonable people start suggesting that being young and dumb or just plain dumb (as we all have been known to be) should be an automatic write-off, I just can't let it slide. There has to be a more constructive answer or we're just as foolish as they are.
...and now that the fire's burned down a little...A few days chewing on something can make for a much cooler head...I'd like to make a suggestion. Any one of us who hang out on these boards and spend our time either working on or chasing down trains for whatever our reasons, can make a contribution to stopping stupid moves like the one shown in the video. Like the song says, "Teach your children well" but I'd go one more and say teach everyone well. DO something constructive with your knowledge in your own town. Talk to people, report the trespassers (and don't be one yourself), get involved in Operation Lifesaver, write to the paper, the railroad, the police, anyone who'll listen and those who won't if you see a problem. Nobody knows your area like you so if you see someplace where the kids fool with the tracks or take the shortcut to school, at least try to do something about it. I know I'd thank you if I never had to see a kid on the tracks again.
