I came across this newspaper article today. I must give credit for the Sacramento Bee for being the first newspaper I know of to understand that the train crew can also be considered a victim during an accident. Please read this article, as it is an eye-opening accounting of the emotional toll Rail/Auto or Rail/Pedestrian accidents take on engine crews: http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/3162316p-4205904c.html
Whoa. Terrible. Good article as you said. It's about time trainmen get some recognition for what they have been through.
That should be reprinted in every newspaper in America. I can't believe how ignorant people are about how difficult it is to stop a train, plus, as the article emphasized, there are human beings at the controls of the train. I have read too many newspaper accounts, apparently written by equally dumb reporters about how "the train was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the --------" Fill in the blank: drunk, idiot, imbecile, etc.
Engr. Friend was correct about throughing away the letter from the lady.You cannot let these accidents linger as a fact in your life. Sometimes some are easier than others but life will go on.You will always rememberbut the secret is do not blame yourself.Many years ago an auto ran almost head on into the engine and it killed 5 people. I still remember after nearly 40 yrs.and for a year or more it was very difficult for me when I approached a crossing with traffic to not want to apply the brakes.I did not feel guilt because I had done nothing wrong.This train hit many autos at crossings regardless of who was the engineer.The local paper dubbed it the killer train. LEW
Kevin, thanks for the link. I am forwarding it on to our local newspaper. We have over 100 grade crossings in about 40 miles with more than 20 fatalities each year. Our paper tries its best to make the public aware of the dangers, and this article from the crew's perspective will certainly help. [ 11 June 2002, 13:02: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
