A friend of ours is a freight train engineer. Here's what he sent out to us yesterday:
quote: Today at work I had a little run in with a Camaro. The event took place just north of Salem (Oregon). I entered the contest with my 3400 ton freight train. The Camaro driver brought her 2 ton mid 90's RS converible. The rules were simple, first one to the railroad crossing wins. Results: Freight train 1, Camaro 0. My apologies to our clubs Camaro fans. The Camaro driver survived although she was badly injured in the crash. Moral of this story: The five minutes saved by racing to beat the train is not worth a totaled car, and a trip to the hospital.
quote:Woman survives car vs. train crash near Salem 06:32 PM PST on Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Compiled by ABE ESTIMADA, kgw.com Staff
BROOKS, Ore. – Firefighters pulled a woman from a car that was struck by a train at 2860 Perkins St. NE in Marion County on Wednesday.
Stacy Baker, of Keizer, was taken to Salem Hospital where she was being treated for for serious but non-life threatening injuries to her lower extremities.
Firefighters investigate a car vs. train crash near Salem at 2860 Perkins St. NE. (Marion County/kgw.com Photo)
Baker’s Chevy Camero was struck about 12:47 p.m. at a railroad crossing point protected by stop signs, said Lt. Bill O’Neil, a spokesman for the Marion County Fire District No. 1. The car was struck by the engine of the southbound freight train operated by Portland Western Railroad.
Baker's car was "traveling eastbound on Perkins Road and did not stop at the tracks," said Sheriff's Deputy Steve Polanski. "Mrs. Baker's vehicle struck the train."
The car spun off to the side of the railroad track and sustained heavy damage. Firefighters and medics from Marion County and the Keizer Fire District rescued Baker from the car.
We frequently hear Bob's stories about people trying to beat the train, and in most cases the train wins. People just can't judge the speed and force of a freight train. The stopping distance is great, and by the time you are seen, it's usually too late to set the brake. Please, please, please....use your head and don't try to beat the train. It's not worth it.
[ 30. October 2003, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: HTWLSS ]
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
About 4-5 weeks ago there was a similar incident north of Toronto; only the results were far far worse. A 1995 (I think) Z28 Camaro tried to beat a train across a level crossing which did not have barricades.
The Camaro hit the third train car back, demolishing the car and killing all four occupants (4 men in their early twenties). Two were thrown from the car at impact. Apparently there were very long skid marks leading to the accident. The Camaro was apparently travelling very very quickly before the impact.
Makes me sad and mad when this happens. These types of incidents are such a waste of life, casue so much needless grief and are SO avoidable.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
That girl is very lucky.There was a neighbor girl that lived my old neighborhood that thought she could beat a train with her 1983 Cougar.She totalled the car but survived.You have to wonder what are these people thinking?
Posted by CamaroSSgal (Member # 1870) on :
I occasionally have nightmares about being hit by a train...so I am REALLY paranoid and EXTREMELY careful when approaching a railroad crossing!! Posted by Fbodfather (Member # 1119) on :
Hmmmmm....when will people learn?
In the spring of 1970, I was driving into my hometown one afternoon after school......as I turned the corner onto a side street, I watched in horror as a 1969 Firebird....its driver and passenger classmates from high school...attempt to cross the railroad tracks not 200 feet in front of me. The timing was such that the front of the train hit the passenger side at the firewall of the firebird........
One classmate was thrown from the Firebird and killed instantly. The other was somewhat luckier. He was thrown from the front seat into the backseat as the car spun around......he was critically injured...but eventually recovered.
Friends...the technology does not exist to protect you from a train impacting ANY car or truck. I don't care WHAT your schedule is...it is not worth it to try and save a couple of minutes. Moreover, you are not only putting YOUR life at risk...but also the lives of others who may be innocent bystanders. And, if you talk to any train engineer, he'll tell you about the near misses.....and what it does to them every time.......
Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :
quote:Originally posted by Fbodfather: Hmmmmm....when will people learn?
In the spring of 1970, I was driving into my hometown one afternoon after school......as I turned the corner onto a side street, I watched in horror as a 1969 Firebird....its driver and passenger classmates from high school...attempt to cross the railroad tracks not 200 feet in front of me. The timing was such that the front of the train hit the passenger side at the firewall of the firebird........
One classmate was thrown from the Firebird and killed instantly. The other was somewhat luckier. He was thrown from the front seat into the backseat as the car spun around......he was critically injured...but eventually recovered.
Friends...the technology does not exist to protect you from a train impacting ANY car or truck. I don't care WHAT your schedule is...it is not worth it to try and save a couple of minutes. Moreover, you are not only putting YOUR life at risk...but also the lives of others who may be innocent bystanders. And, if you talk to any train engineer, he'll tell you about the near misses.....and what it does to them every time.......
Scott, I dont think it could be said better. The difference in kinetic energy is just too great, and most people dont understand that the only think that can compete with a train is a tank, and even then it would be a toss-up match. People just dont know. Its such a shame that people have to continue to try to beat the train, and have no idea what they are going against...
Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
More from Engineer Bob:
quote:I didn't see her coming until about 100 feet out. She was really moving, blew right through a stop sign and into the side of the lead locomotive. No time to hit the brakes, it wouldn't have mattered anyhow. The car burst into flames on impact and spun off into the ditch. Luckily one of our track inspectors was close by and had a fire extinguisher in his truck. It was a really sharp looking Camaro...
Posted by Kevin V 2002 SS (Member # 1025) on :
Regardless of who gets there first or whatever, the train NEVER loses.
Posted by Steven2000SS (Member # 780) on :
Like they say.. "even in a tie you loose"
I see people drive around the barricades all the time here.. nuts..
Posted by WayneSS01 (Member # 734) on :
Glad she survived. I learned about the 'train track contest' when I was 9 years old. The family was at grandma's in the country. Dad and I were out and stoped for gas at a mom and pop station. I walk over to a 60's buick that is in the shape of a U. They made it to the middle of the tracks and got t-boned by a frieight train. What was left of the interior was pretty nasty. I can still picture that car 37 years later. Unbelievable.
Posted by LPE LS1 (Member # 2154) on :
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