This is a very sad story. Same place that an accident occcured this summer. People need to take the extra time and cross tracks at a safe location.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09304/1009760-59.stm

Doc

Prayers for her two daughters how survived and witnessed the accident. They're going to need some serious counseling.

Stuart

We read many such accounts during the year involving this type of tragedy. My prayers are with those two little girls, and the train crew. May the mother and child rest in peace.

Billy C

All we can do is express our deepest sympathy and pray that the good Lord give solace to the family and welcome those deceased into the kingdom of heaven.

Really sad when this kind of stuff happens.

From the description though, it sounds like the right of way runs right next to a shopping center. Put up a 10 foot barbed wire topped cyclone fence from the safe crossing point all the way along the tracks. That will be the cheapest way to make sure they cross at the bridge and it shouldn't involve tons of red tape.

Fred

It is the same on the street as is on the rails. People do not take the time to look. A train can and will sneak up silent on you! It happens, Look both ways and look again. I was taught that at an early age and I have instilled it with my children. The town wants a bridge over the tracks at one million dollars. How about a tunnel for pedestrians? down the steps and under the tracks.

The local news always puts someone on who blames the trains. The crew will suffer too! I feel for the two mother less children.
But this could have been avoided.

Tragic

quote:

The town wants a bridge over the tracks at one million dollars.

today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said there is one only 50 yards away from where the lady was trying to cross WITH A STROLLER!

- walt

Sad story, and all to familiar. I cannot blame anyone, this is a tragic accident, but what happens after these accidents is not, people point fingers at the railroad, say they don't do enough, they are a menace, etc......I made the acquaintance of someone who had been a locomotive fireman and engineer both in the steam and diesel era, and while he had been fortunate not to have been involved in any serious accidents, he knew engineers and train crews who had been, and it devastated them, they were diligent, hardworking men who often ended up blaming themselves, that they should have been able to do something. According to this person, more then a few of them ended up with serious what today we would call PTSD, dome of them had to give up driving locomotives, they couldn't do it any more.

I know how traumatic it is for a kid to lose a mother from experience, but the two surviving girls saw the whole thing. This will scar them for life. I just pray that they can get the help they will need and be able to get back to a semblance of a normal life. One thing is for sure - I doubt that they will ever enjoy Halloween again.

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by walt rapp:

quote:

The town wants a bridge over the tracks at one million dollars.

today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said there is one only 50 yards away from where the lady was trying to cross WITH A STROLLER!

- walt

Yea, that seems pretty stupid to me. Guess maybe she's to lazy to walk a extra 50 yards. Of course it would be a pain climbing stairs carrying a kid and stroller, and groceries. Still sad though!

http://online.indianagazette.c...31/blog/10027143.txt

This article implies she went back and forth across the track several times before being hit.

quote:

Originally posted by Fred Brenek:
Really sad when this kind of stuff happens.

From the description though, it sounds like the right of way runs right next to a shopping center. Put up a 10 foot barbed wire topped cyclone fence from the safe crossing point all the way along the tracks. That will be the cheapest way to make sure they cross at the bridge and it shouldn't involve tons of red tape.

While tragic, I don't think the shopping center, the taxpayers or the railroad should have to come up with the money for a fence because some people decide to do something dangerous, foolish and illegal.

The sad thing is that a boy was killed just a few months ago in the same area. I grew up next to this very same set of tracks, just 20-25 miles West of where this happened, in a town that was bisected by these tracks. Even though my town had 2 underpasses (one was pedestrian only, the other had a sidewalk for pedestrians) and one foot bridge over the tracks, people still crossed the tracks on foot because it was the easier thing to do.

Fences and million-dollar pedestrian bridges won't solve the inherent problem. The way I would solve the problem would be a two-part process (and wouldn't cost a million dollars). First, get railroad safety education back in the schools (Operation Lifesaver would make this a pretty easy step), and second, start enforcing the laws against trespassing - start ticketing/fining/arresting people, and people will eventually get the picture.

Andy

As a conductor with NS I've been over that section of track many times. Even if there were a fence and pedestrian bridge people would climb over the fence and go around the bridge. People are too lazy and careless to take a few more minutes to be safe. We were always on the alert for people crossing in that area. And once again how can you ignore a train horn blowing your eardrums out at that distance or say you didn't see those blinding lights. Commmmmme onnnnnn people!!! People will never learn. Rick

This is a very sad story and should be a reminder to us all just how important safety is. When I was driving to work tonight along Broad street near the stadium district area in Philadelphia, it was dark and rainy. A man stepped out from behind a tree and walked accross Broad street in the gloom, wearing nothing but dark color clothing. Fortunately I was driving slowly because I could hardly see him and if I was moving fast he would of been a "goner", or at lest spending the holidays in traction. I wonder if he knew how close he came to being run over?

I came to a stop and watched him cross and he never even looked to see what was coming because he had his hood up and head down to shelter from the rain. I did not get upset with him, all I could think about was all the dumb things I have done and how some other peoples quick thinking saved my butt.

We all take our turns at being stupid, that's why I say, "may others wisdom, always catch my blunders".

Very tragic and sad, indeed!

We all make mistakes; unfortunately, some of them can be fatal.

And it seems that most people and writers don't even consider
the trauma that the engineer and other train crew members suffer
because of the stupid acts of trespassers.

Lee

Sad indeed; a 37-year old parent should have better judgment than that. You cannot legislate to protect people against their own poor judgment no matter how many laws you pass or bridges you build. The story reads as though she gave up her life and her infant's life to try and save a piece of minor property, what a dreadful shame for all concerned, especially for the surviors and the crew.

The discussion continues in today's Pittsburgh Post Gazette

I believe the town of Derry is issuing Trespass citations, and patching the fence that has been torn down by locals. The railroad is installing railroad tie barriors in addition to the fence. I assume more difficult to remove than just cutting the fences.

Idea is to change what is un-acceptable behavior. This burg as with a lot of small communities in Western PA is finacially strapped with little resources to work with.

Back in the mid 70's I was in grade school and over the intercom the principal talked about increased train traffic in Oakmont. At that time there were two tracks running through town. The town is divided by the tracks that run along the business district. We had more train traffic that year and longer trains.
Then it was over and only the local switcher ran through.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike CT:
Idea is to change what is un-acceptable behavior. This burg as with a lot of small communities in Western PA is finacially strapped with little resources to work with.

This is why the law enforcement angle (issuing citations) is important. It doesn't cost extra (the police, justices and judges are already being paid), and the financial cost on the trespassers will eventually deter them from this behavior. It will also bring in a small amount of funds, which can then be put to good use.

The other step is educating the children who live in the area. I grew up in Manor which is bisected by these very same tracks. In elementary school, we got lectured in railroad safety every year in every grade. Again, the teachers are already being paid, so it essentially costs nothing to include some railroad safety in the curriculum, and Operation Lifesaver is available to help in this aspect.

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by RICKC:
As a conductor with NS I've been over that section of track many times. Even if there were a fence and pedestrian bridge people would climb over the fence and go around the bridge. People are too lazy and careless to take a few more minutes to be safe. We were always on the alert for people crossing in that area. And once again how can you ignore a train horn blowing your eardrums out at that distance or say you didn't see those blinding lights. Commmmmme onnnnnn people!!! People will never learn. Rick

Rick, You must know Lance, from EBT and NS. He's a friend of mine.
Lee