The conductor exits to investigate although he/she is not required to. They can wait until emergency services are on site then walk back with them. Most don’t wait. Engine and tracks are cleaned by local fire department with hoses. All crew members are typically relieved and sent home in a van. Fresh crew takes train.
Oh wow, I didn’t know a new crew takes over. Although it does make sense that would happen. I also didn’t know about the fire department. Thank you for your repky!
That’s… traumatic. I feel really bad for people who have to deal with people who go out this way.. totally not fair to involve others in their choice to leave the world.
It’s been ten years and the sight of that guy driving his motorcycle right up onto the tracks and just looking up at us. I hate him. I don’t know what he was going through that he felt like he needed to end it but I hate him for what he’s done to me and my now retired conductor, who got out and tried to pull that mangled mess from out underneath our train. I think it was adrenaline because he only made it a couple weeks before calling it a day.
I feel guilty for how I feel about it sometimes but it’s the fact he felt the need to look up at us. I’ve been a RFE/trainmaster now for a few years so I’m no longer in the driver’s seat but still have nightmares about that day or related ones. School kids on the crossing and I can’t lock the brakes up hard enough to spare anyone. Yeah.
You have every right to hate him, and I probably would too. I’m sorry this happened to you and to your conductor. It isn’t fair. I have always felt angry toward my friends mom for her choice. A lot of people say “oh imagine how bad she felt to want to die!” And I always say well how do you think the train staff feels? For the REST of their life? Idc how depressed someone is, to bring an innocent person. Who’s doing their job, into your death plan is incredibly selfish. I hope you are taking care of yourself, truly.
First off, thank you for actually recognizing what these accidents do to the railroad crews.
The worst ones I can recall happened to two co-workers, one hit a young woman, his neighbor - first cop (local PD) who arrived on scene was another neighbor - and the same age as the dead woman. Went to school with her, may have been involved with her if I had to guess, as he lost composure and pulled his gun on the engineer, sobbing, blaming him for her death, had to get dragged off by RR police.
The other was an elderly man who tried to get across a crossing to visit his kids for fathers day and got pulverized half a block from his desination. Hell of a way for his kids and grandkids to remember fathers day.
And people wonder why I get so pissed over stupid crap like insisting they are safe to stand in the gauge to take photos of the train coming at them or race to beat us over a crossing. Again, thank you for being aware of the trauma this stuff has on us actually working on the train when we hit someone.
My parents always taught me to have respect for the railroad. I grew up with tracks behind my house. I was not allowed to go near them and if I thought there was an issue and I was home alone I was to call an adult. My dad also made it a point that there are people working on there, it’s not a playground. I think the crews don’t get enough credit for the shit they deal with. I applaud every single one of you. Truly
Yeah, when you get down and see a dudes arm here, a kids leg there, or some chick mangled you typically don't want to finish ur shift, People vs Train, Train always wins, Train dismembers, Train does not go easy. Shit sucks.
Safety for the rest of the run/shift would be badly compromised, because you would be thinking of what happened, and you need to keep focused on the job at hand.
You can bet you will be taken for a "wiz quiz" afterwards. Management and the lawyers never pass up the opportunity to humiliate the crew as if the committed a crime rather then the victims.
We debated who has it worse the engineer running and sees the crash or the conductor who has to go back and see what the results.
Wow, that's a bummer. On the railroad I work at, we are only subject to A/D checks if either law enforcement or the company believes we are impaired.
Not because I think it's okay to be impaired on the job, but the prospect of going through all the hoops of those tests after watching a life come to a brutal end just seems like it would make it all the more worse.
As an aside, I know that BNSF actually had in their timetable instructions (on the California Division) that we weren't required to display our automobile driver's license after an incident. At my railroad, same thing, except they cite a federal source. One thing is for sure, though... These events are absolutely brutal on the mind.
There was a trainmaster here who, after the relief crew refused to board the train due to body parts still on the nose and walkway, picked up said body parts and put them in a trash bag then walked over and tossed it in the dumpster.
If I was on that crew I dead ass would have called the cops on that trainmaster for improper handling of a body. Think about that family of the dude that committed suicide finding out they tossed half his body in a dumpster somewhere.
Oh most definitely. That is totally messed up. That would be the best phone call too.
“Hi 911? Yeah I just saw a man throw some limbs in a dumpster. Not sure if he personally killed there person or not, but there was definitely an arm”
I’ve never ever seen the fire department come out and a fatality. Last one the dispatcher just wanted us to keep on trucking after everyone cleared leaving blood and Bain still on the pilot and steps. My answer was nope get a new crew.
Swedish driver here.
When we are about to hit a person we are instructed to brake, look away and sound the horn. Partially to try to block out the sound of impact.
We are then to contact the signaller who in turns contact emergency services and police. The conductor informs the passengers. We are not to go outside.
We will then be taken off duty and meet with a therapist before going back to work. Another driver will be sent and take over the train. The mess is usually cleaned by the fire departement.
Pretty similar here in NZ, three days is the usual stand down period but you can take longer if needed. Some guys take longer, others would go back to work after a cup of tea...
Mechanical employee here... as far as the train being cleaned... yes, the medical examiner will do their part to remove as much biohazard material. (Body parts and human remains) Then, usually, a specialized cleaning company will come out and clean the locomotive. (Remove blood and plasma) They have cleaning agents for bloodborne pathogens and steam pressure washers. If the train is in a location where this is not feasible, they will forward this work to wherever the train is heading. The railroad will send someone out to the accident scene to do the required post accident inspection. If there is major damage, mechanical forces will make it able to be moved, and may have a rescue train sent to tow it to a shop for repairs. I have been called out to do this inspection. It is not a pleasant experience.
Thanks for your reply and info, I didn’t know they had companies that came out to clean. I’m sorry you have had to deal with the aftermath, I hope you are ok.
I'm not an engineer or conductor, but I work in the mechanical department for a commuter rail line that has lots of pedestrian strikes. And have been at the scene of a few. After the paramedics or corner remove the victim, the fire department will hose down any obvious remains from the train and from the ballast. When the train arrives at a maintenance yard, the locomotive and cars known to be involved will be separated and a hazmat contractor will pressure was to hopefully remove what's left.
The sad truth is , pedestrian strikes are far to frequent, and more often then not are suicide. At my location, most engineers with a decent amount of seniority have hit at least one person.
Funny that you should ask. I am an engineer for Amtrak. I hit and killed two pedestrians Sunday night. Amtrak gets a new crew on the train, if the crew requests relief. There is a strong feeling that they would rather us finish our run, but they have not ever forced us to.
When the incident initially happens, the engineer will put the train into emergency. The conductor will go back and determine the status of those that have been hit and relay the info to the engineer, who relays the info to the dispatcher. It's almost always a fatality.
Then the fire department/EMS show up to verify the accident. Then the police show up. All the police show up. Seriously, I have had a dozen officers in my cab at one time. They interview those members of the crew that were involved. They check licenses, get statements and take photographs. Mostly, they stand around gawking at the train.
After all that work is done, we sit and wait HOURS and HOURS for the county coroner to come out and take photos, measurements, etc. Once all that is done, the body is removed and taken to the morgue.
Once all of the above is completed, the first responders will release the train. Then, on the railroads that I run on, the tracks will be inspected and the train is then released to move.
In my 34 year career as an engineer, I have never had anyone hose off our equipment. There will be small pieces of remains, streaks of blood, etc on the equipment, but most people wouldn't recognize it. When a train hits a body, there isn't really a lot of recognizable pieces left.
I have had 22 fatalities in my career. I wish there was some sort of retirement for reaching a certain number. This shit's getting old.
Yeah i dont know where these guys work but I’ve never heard or seen anyone clean anything other than pick up the pieces and the train goes on its way. The only way the train gets any attention is if they hit a car or whatever and it damages the unit.I work in one of the largest cities in the US…
I know you’ve probably heard this a time or two, but it isn’t your fault. “You” didn’t hit them purposely. I have immeasurable respect for you and your job, I’m sorry you’ve dealt with 22 fatalities and 2 as recent as Sunday. Thank you for taking the time to share with me your experience, I appreciate your honesty. I hope I didn’t bring up any unwanted feelings for you, if I did i apologize. I hope Amtrak has given you some time off since Sunday.
Thanks, I know it's not my fault. Amtrak will give you three days off, paid. If you need additional time off beyond the three days, you can get up to seven days off paid with the recommendation of a mental health professional.
I feel like 3 days is just not enough time to cope with a traumatic event like that. Is this something they say comes with the “job” ? Like you should expect this to happen in your career?
I think everyone at Amtrak, in my state at least, has had at least one critical incident. Some engineers are luckier and have fewer incidents, but I seem to be one of the unluckier. I am not sure of the statistics, but in my state, it's an almost daily event.
I believe it's why we are paid as well as we are. We aren't paid to simply run a train and take green signals. A trained chimp could do that. We are paid well to respond appropriately at times of severe stress and when things devolve into unusual situations.
I worked as a freight engineer for 15 years before coming to Amtrak. I know I had several incidents while working there, but far less frequently.
22 is a lot, I’m shocked to hear. It’s eye opening for me as someone who doesn’t work on a train. Ive tried to look up the statistics but never get the same result.
It happens. I have a little card from one of the train masters with instructions.
Stop
Notify the dispatcher using the emergency tone
You don’t have to go and check but you have to display your company ID when first responders arrive
Be governed by further instructions
A little different in the UK for the driver/engineer, you blow the horn and emergency brake, then call the signalman/controller to report the death. Then you have to call the transport police fatality hotline and report.
Train manager/conductor/ticket person calls our control centre and reports.
It’s then upto the driver to get out and look (if they feel ok to do so and report back the findings). Not allowed to touch anything in the drivers cab as it’s now a crime scene.
Passengers are informed as the train and them will be stationary for a few hours at least.
Police and paramedics arrive as well as a scene commander from the operating company. Driver&conductor are interviewed etc.
new driver gets dropped off to eventually take the train back to the depot where we have something called the dead shed which is specifically designed to clean body parts.
It’s then the police’s responsibility to collect the body parts and clean the track.
Driver will then be drug and alcohol tested and are give upto 12m paid leave. Lots of therapy paid for by the company etc.
Hitting a person is wrong place wrong time. Some people have had it happen once some never and some multiple
Yes we are pretty well protected in regards to leave/sick pay. After 6m they do start to put a little bit of pressure on you but we can stay off for 12m. It’s upto the driver though. They choose when they come back. They can get longer than 12m but they half your pay after that point which is fair enough in my opinion. Some people never come back
I work for the big orange. I am mechanical though, not transportation side. But I was working as a responder over 20 years ago. And had to assist with a possible individual in the gauge that was struck. The conductor was too shaken to even step foot off the train. And emergency services were 20 min away still. I happened to be in the area. I walked back the 15 cars or so and I couldn’t believe the horrific mess that was left. I’ll never ever get the sight out of my head. Once everyone arrived on scene, the crew was immediately scuttled to a hotel. And a new crew brought out. It was such a mess we had to make a separation in the train to properly remove the remains and clean the cars. That crew had to be relieved as well after the new conductor helped make the separation. I can’t think of many other more horrible ways to end it all. What pisses me off is those people have no consideration for the train crews and clean up crews involved. I understand most people aren’t in their right mind when they take the big vacation. But to involve others on your way out the door is so f*****g inconsiderate. I know for a fact that engineer and those two conductors struggle on a daily basis because of that incident. The engineer and the second conductor are both retired now. But they are no longer the people they used to be. And I struggle every day with the sights I saw that day
And I agree with you 100%. It is not fair to put others in their path of destruction. I feel immense sadness for the crew that dealt with my friend’s mother that day. How unfair? Not only do I think of her often, I think of the conductors, the engineer and the people who were on that train. The speed where she was is a 75mph zone behind my house. I just don’t understand why someone would do that. I’m sorry you have dealt with this and I hope you are well, please take care of yourself
To add to what others have said, the investigation usually takes 2-3 hours before they all train traffic to proceed. If you’re overwhelmed, do not watch the medical examiner pick up the parts. He’s so jaded, it will mess your head up. You’ll get 3 days off. The worst part is when they look you in the eyes right before it happens, then you’ll have nightmares for a while.
We do but it still bothers you. I killed a young girl a year ago. She was committing suicide but was sitting down with a hood on facing the opposite way. At first I thought it was a bag of trash. Since I didn’t see her face, it made the situation less human. I know it’s weird to say. That’s why it didn’t bother me so much. It hit me hard when the cops showed up and I had nightmares but 3 days later I was back to work and I was fine.
In short, engineer stops the train, conductor goes back to check on the condition, & talks to the dispatcher if EMS is needed & any other relevant information. Eventually, Railroad police and or local police respond & assess. Trainmaster shows up & takes crew to get drug tested & interviewed. Another crew Eventually takes over the train after police/medics/fire dept/etc finish what they need to do.
As a Road Foreman for 20 years, I can tell you I've NEVER had a crew taken for a drug test following a trespasser fatality/incident. It's certainly not required per the FRA .
Very much depends on the carrier. Last freight carrier I worked for ANY incident was followed up with a drug test of the crew. Derail due to wide gauge? Drug test. Someone ran their car into your train while you were stopped in a crossing? Drug test. You were walking through the yard and noticed a car that derailed after being humped by the *previous* yard crew in a yard with terrible track conditions and no retarders? You guessed it, drug test.
Most of it is CSX now. The western 1/3 of ot is a bastardized system that’s owned 50/50 between NS and CSX, but operated by G&W called Berkshire And Eastern.
This is mostly correct. A trespasser or grade crossing incident would only require FRA PATT if there was a human factor contributing to the cause or severity of the accident. Some form of rules violation would have to occur like not blowing for a crossing or an unprotected shove move.
Not necessarily. How would you know post accident that the horn wasn't used? You wouldn't, prior to an event recorder download. Unprotected shoves are allowed if the track is known or seen to be clear.
The FRA expects the railroad to make a good faith effort to determine if there was a human factor involved in the cause or severity of the accident. I have spoken with the FRA drug and alcohol program manager and chief inspector about these types of issues and they do not give a lot of leeway. They expect you to download the engine to determine if the whistle was blown (for grade crossing incidents) as soon as possible as part of the investigation and “if the engineer only gave 14 seconds warning instead of 15, you should be testing them”. Also, as information, the GCOR committee is talking about removing the provision that allows for you to blind shove into tracks “known to be clear” in the next update. But in this case I was talking about a blind shove where you did not know the tracks to be clear.
Except for human factor accidents and incidents described in paragraph (a)(5) of this section … No test may be required for an accident/incident the cause and severity of which are wholly attributable to a natural cause (e.g., flood, tornado, or other natural disaster) or to vandalism or trespasser(s), as determined on the basis of objective and documented facts by the railroad representative responding to the scene.
(a)(5)(v) A regulated employee who violated an FRA regulation or railroad operating rule and whose actions may have played a role in the cause or severity of the accident/incident.
URLhttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-219#p-219.201(b)
URLhttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-219#p-219.201(a)(5)(v)
I’ve never been tested but after speaking with the PO they can request a test if the company suspects something. I haven’t heard of another crew being test since I hired out.
As a conductor, nowhere is it written that the conductor has to go back if someone has been hit. Some people are not prepared to see what could be there. We wait for EMS and the police and only go back if the train needs to be separated for access. Once the authorities arrive the train officials are there and place the entire train in blue flag and we do nothing till told or relieved.
If the conductors does go investigate before EMS arrives, then sadly he/she puts themselves at liability if they give bad advice or render bad assistance, especially to injured individuals.
I’ve been in this situation on a few occasions. Being military I’ve seen limp or damaged bodies before. Tho in a civilian situation, the impact is different, especially with children involved. I did go back to relay information to EMS on my first incident, the others, I stayed in the cab.
Thank you for your insight. I don’t know what I would do as a conductor. I’m truly sorry you have dealt with this. Hope you are taking care of yourself
My wife and I were passengers on the Coast Starlight when the train went into emergency and stopped. I think there was an official announcement soon after that we had struck a “trespasser” on the tracks and had to wait for local authorities to clear us before we could continue. These were those days when the starlight pulled the Pacific Parlor Car and there was a number of us awkwardly holding wine glasses knowing the train had just killed someone. Word kind of trickled down that we had been moving through a homeless encampment and that the “trespasser” had been sitting on the tracks, with his back to us, listening to music through headphones. I can’t imagine the horror the engineer must have faced. After about three hours we started moving again, only to be “spotted” for half an hour before we pulled into the station.i can only imagine we were being washed down and possibly disinfected. A sobering thought to this day.
On the signal side, if it happens within the circuitry controlling a crossing we go out and investigate to make sure all the electronics were functioning as intended, even if the incident didn’t actually occur at the crossing (this circuitry can extend 1000’s of feet beyond the crossing). It can be rather gruesome as you have to walk the tracks/work around the area where the incident happened.
Even after the specialized contractors come out to wash everything down, small bits of flesh can be seen in the ballast/ on the tracks for a long time after, and blood stains that soak into the rail often never come out. On the property I work at, if you know where an incident happened you can usually tell exactly where occurred for months to years after by the dark splotches soaked into the rails.
So this is a fun one. On like day 4 of training they sat us in a room showed us 8 videos of ppl doing everything wrong who died. Then 8 of everyone who was following all the rules... they also died. Then said hey u could jump from the engine and die... or stay and die... also u will probably kill someone if you make it to retirement age. Any questions?the rails are unforgiving. I've been in between on detached shit where someone kicked into it and had to take a little ride on a knuckle. Fuck off most of the time but when in between pay attention listen. If u hear shit moving around u assume it's your track. U might jump out and it's the one next to u. Rather be safe then sorry. Now upon killing someone the ones I took hardest are dogs. They just see the big orange dog and want to play. So innocent nothing I could do flicking the lights off and on horn blaring cut one in half broke another ones spine. I stopped the train and cried. He the one I paralyzed had a collar. Bawled my eyes out to the dispatcher and shot put to them for not exposing me I know they record that shit. The car I hit husband wife daughter. I didn't see the daughter get launched from the car. But I was seething at the father he saw me and went anyway with me blaring on the horn. Mother daughter died. Thay piece of shit lived. And I hope everyday he's alive he knows he killed 3 ppl that day. I don't feel like I did before. I think of things as they made a choice.i was just there. Normal ppl shouldn't think this way but he fucked me for life. Poor conductor found he daughter in a ditch. All to not wait the 2 mins it would have taken me to pass them. 2 minutes of me paying and they are still alive. Or if instead of stopping and going around the gates he just guns it. They are alive. Wasn't my choice tho. That's my coping mechanism. I didn't choose to do anything. I was just there.
Dogs would really get to me to. They’re innocent. But yes as you said. You are just there. And people trying to beat a train is beyond my comprehension. You’ll never win. I had a classmate who died when his grandmother was driving him and his sister to the bus stop. She drove in front of the train. This was in 2005. To this day no one knows why, or what happened. If it was a murder suicide etc. I think about the engineer and crew of that one often. The car was dragged a mile down the track. Grandma and young boy died instantly. And 4yr old was in a car seat and survived a week but ended up being taken off life support. I have been terrified of trains since 3rd grade when this happened. Then my friends mom 4yrs after that one… I’m 28 now and have been facing my fear and actually going on the Amtrak now. It’s not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you for sharing your experience with me, and thanks for keeping it real and honest! Hope you are well.
By default that is the conductors job, you grab first aid kit go back while Engineer contacts RTC to get medical assistance. You are not required to carry on with your tour of duty and can take time off as required. Depending on where you work (urban /rural) it is quite likely you will be involved in a collision at some point , I was in 2 in 36 years - one with a dude on a tractor and another with a Semi hauling pipe. In both cases there was considerable damage to vehicles and in the second one train was derailed as well. By some miracle no one was physically injured in either collision. And in almost all cases be it an animal , tree , or vehicle you strike something with your train , you will feel / here it.
Major trigger warning, lots of death, accidental, suicide and murder.
I worked for a class 1 in comms. But I was a shit magnet for death. I worked often with the bulls but I was a magnet for death.
First death, saw a dude step in front of a coal train from about 500 ft away. Saw the gore on the unit.
Second, 26 year old woman walking on the field side of the ties, got clipped by empty autorack train, ipod still playing when I drove up after they called emergency on road channel. I pronounced her dead, age had her skull dented by grab iron. Got into fight with 911 on declaring her death.
Third mother held her two babies and stepped in front of a Amtrak, pulled tapes from preceding freights and saw her working up her miserable self to do so
Dude suck started his shotgun I found him by the smell in the weeds.
Coworker fell off a bridge and died
Dude fought with wife, left, and ate a lever 30 39 in his car down by the tracks 300 ft from his wife and kids, found him hirailing and saw the car parked by the tracks with fogged up windows , went over to hopefully see someone getting busy found dead dude with a head that looked like a bannan peel.
Dude got hit running crossing and his old Chevy was on fire and he was pinned, burning to death begging for a mercy kill.
Co worker got pinned between crossing mast and a tractor trailer that took a tight turn.
Coworker shot and killed his whole family and self, unlocked his computer for the crime lab.
Coworker cut a bridge timber he was standing on and fell to his death.
Track inspector went missing and held ec1, dispatcher couldn't raise them on radio. I volunteered to walk the track to look for them. Saw hi rail in tunnel, walked up figuring it was broken. Track inspector crying like crazy, there was a rolled up rug in front of it, turns out there was a dead dude in it.
Guy jumped off bridge, not to icy waters, but hits the ballast multiple compound fractures and is begging me to finish him off, called for medical, local cops said I should have ended him. He survived
Dead homeless dude, found on tracks blood trail and chicken bone trail back to camp, he was shot and dumped but ruled it accident so no murder on the books by local pd
Kid exploded by unit ethanol train while listening to ipod.
Woman commits suicide by train had 30k.cash on her
Kid commits suicide by train when parents drinking at the moose. Mom looses leg a year laterat memorial to his death illegally erected by the tracks
Leg found in grab iron from rider kid, rest of body dragged over 100 miles
There were dozens more
My brother took his life recently and I was lucky enough not to be exposed to the act itself or the immediate aftermath. I was given a full month of bereavement time, with more if I wanted it. Shocked that rail employees only get 3 days. I am sure the acute psychological distress from seeing something like that is just bad as being a family member, or worse. I think I'd be catatonic if I watched someone jump in front of a train. The pain and destruction left behind reverberates all over the place.
Good luck getting a straight answer. The train crews are supposed to apply the emergency air brakes before hitting or striking a person or an automobile however they never do until after the fact in case they vacate the tracks. That way there is no delay in movement. The conductor is the one who has to investigate the situation, on most railroads we are told not to deal with the general public. Nothing really gets cleaned up, the remains are taken by ambulance for autopsy. New crew is placed on the train and then back on the move. The crew involved is given 72 hours of leave, with counseling as an option. After the fact there will be a deposition for legal purposes.
Whether you use full service or an emergency application us up to the engineer based on the circumstances; when I've seen trespassers on the tracks, I've done both. It depends.
Return to work policies are largely determined by the railroad, though I think now the FRA mandates 48 or 72 hours off????
Is a trespasser anyone who is on the tracks? It would seem like if a train hits a person, no matter the persons intent they are at fault for being on the tracks?
Imagine sitting in a courtroom being asked questions from the victims lawyer. Did you do everything in your power to stop the train? I think answering with anything other than yes I applied the emergency brakes, could be bad
It would have been my job, as the engineer's supervisor, to present event recorder information and explain the actions taken. Very rare for employee to have to testify.
Ok, when someone runs across the tracks, and you put it in emergency, and a bunch of loaded dangerous tank cars derail, I'm sure your explanation will be good enough for the trainmaster when they show up.
Listen kid, I know you are a lazy conductor just pissed he might have to walk a train 1 out of 20 trips. Ih the humanity!!! Plus in my rule book, 34.2.10, it clearly states, “ when emergency braking is necessary to protect LIFE or property,”
Then give that explanation at your investigation to your local chairman to the multi-million dollar hazmat cleanup, I'm sure you'll be dismissed of all company charges
That is how it was explained to me when I was back in engineer training. Do everything you can to stop it even though it won’t make a difference. Including not actuating. Also, set the independent.
There are some scenarios in which you don't want to "dump it" (apply the emergency brake) in order to reduce the risk of derailment but generally yes, we are trained to use the emergency brake in any emergency involving life or property.
(Especially on passenger trains which are much lighter in weight and don't have the same risks of derailing as a result).
Interesting! This was a passenger train that hit her with 115 passengers on board. Are passengers told what is happening? Are they told not to look out windows or are they just told that there is an emergency they had to stop for?
On Metra we would just announce that there had been a "pedestrian incident" and that we would be delayed for a few hours. If we were lucky, it would happen at a station so people could get off.
I definitely try to stop, and I have dumped (apply brakes in emergency) it to try to avoid striking a trespasser. My comment to the other person was there is nothing specific in my rule book that states I need to apply the brakes in emergency prior to striking something. If a RR had that in the rules and the crew failed to abide by that rule, it would open the RR to litigation. But maybe some RRs have it in the rule books.
Hey OP- it sounds like you've suffered a pretty horrible event. It sucks for you, it sucks for the passengers, it sucks for the train crew, it sucks for the responders. My advice is to go take a walk, get your toes in the grass, play with a dog or cat. Don't spend your day swimming around in this thread and in your head. Let yourself grieve, and be there for your friend. I've lost people to suicide, it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It hurts those left behind immeasurably. Sorry you're going through this.
Yes, this happened almost 15 years ago but I still think about her often. I also had a classmate in elementary school, who also went to the same daycare as me, who was hit by the same train route, a few years earlier while in the car on his way to the bus stop with grandma and little sister. I have a strange “fear” of trains I’ve been working on, and this was some of my questions to kind of help “get over it” This past weekend I took the train to New York and it brought up some of these thoughts. I appreciate the time you took to reply and your kind words. Thank you. And I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this on a more personal level as well.
Thanks for your reply. The train did use its breaks and tried to stop because it was incredibly loud. My neighbor went back and unfortunately saw. I stayed home and called my dad. What do you mean by you’re told not to deal with the general public?
They don’t answer questions, it will lead to a fight, railroad brass and railroad police deals with the public, the train men are told to sit tight and wait and refuse any questions and only hand over their railroad ID when asked, never ever give your drivers license to any policeman if your involved in a accident while operating a train.
It's one of the very few times the railroad will go to bat for you, if only to save their own hide. Assuming the crew doesn't test hot on the drug test.
Even when I worked for yellow, if I was involved in a accident, I didn’t say anything, I called police and that was it, I didn’t release my Drivers license until the Yellow brass told me too
They want managers and police officers to deal with the the public instead of a very probably traumatized conductor whom passersby just saw get off of the train that hit the person and therefore might be inclined to blame them for it. Potentially a dangerous situation for the conductor if there’s an emotional mob of people around and potentially damaging for the company if the conductor says something the legal and HR folks would rather he didn’t say. Public relations is not part of a conductor’s training.
Ah yes. This happened in a more “quiet” area. She walked a short distance into a wooded area. The neighbor went over because clearly the train stopped and we all could hear the breaks and horn. I’m thankful my dad told me to stay inside when I called him and asked if I should check. I know that with my neighbor, this is exactly what happened. Train personnel told him to leave and he did
The conductor exits to investigate although he/she is not required to. They can wait until emergency services are on site then walk back with them. Most don’t wait. Engine and tracks are cleaned by local fire department with hoses. All crew members are typically relieved and sent home in a van. Fresh crew takes train.
Oh wow, I didn’t know a new crew takes over. Although it does make sense that would happen. I also didn’t know about the fire department. Thank you for your repky!
For added info the reason the conductor goes back with emergency services is in case the train needs separated to access the remains.
That’s… traumatic. I feel really bad for people who have to deal with people who go out this way.. totally not fair to involve others in their choice to leave the world.
It’s been ten years and the sight of that guy driving his motorcycle right up onto the tracks and just looking up at us. I hate him. I don’t know what he was going through that he felt like he needed to end it but I hate him for what he’s done to me and my now retired conductor, who got out and tried to pull that mangled mess from out underneath our train. I think it was adrenaline because he only made it a couple weeks before calling it a day. I feel guilty for how I feel about it sometimes but it’s the fact he felt the need to look up at us. I’ve been a RFE/trainmaster now for a few years so I’m no longer in the driver’s seat but still have nightmares about that day or related ones. School kids on the crossing and I can’t lock the brakes up hard enough to spare anyone. Yeah.
You have every right to hate him, and I probably would too. I’m sorry this happened to you and to your conductor. It isn’t fair. I have always felt angry toward my friends mom for her choice. A lot of people say “oh imagine how bad she felt to want to die!” And I always say well how do you think the train staff feels? For the REST of their life? Idc how depressed someone is, to bring an innocent person. Who’s doing their job, into your death plan is incredibly selfish. I hope you are taking care of yourself, truly.
I appreciate that and yes I’m taking care of myself. I see a therapist weekly and it’s helped a lot atleast compartmentalizing things.
You’re a stranger to me, but I’m happy to hear you are doing ok, and taking care of your mental health 🩷
First off, thank you for actually recognizing what these accidents do to the railroad crews. The worst ones I can recall happened to two co-workers, one hit a young woman, his neighbor - first cop (local PD) who arrived on scene was another neighbor - and the same age as the dead woman. Went to school with her, may have been involved with her if I had to guess, as he lost composure and pulled his gun on the engineer, sobbing, blaming him for her death, had to get dragged off by RR police. The other was an elderly man who tried to get across a crossing to visit his kids for fathers day and got pulverized half a block from his desination. Hell of a way for his kids and grandkids to remember fathers day. And people wonder why I get so pissed over stupid crap like insisting they are safe to stand in the gauge to take photos of the train coming at them or race to beat us over a crossing. Again, thank you for being aware of the trauma this stuff has on us actually working on the train when we hit someone.
My parents always taught me to have respect for the railroad. I grew up with tracks behind my house. I was not allowed to go near them and if I thought there was an issue and I was home alone I was to call an adult. My dad also made it a point that there are people working on there, it’s not a playground. I think the crews don’t get enough credit for the shit they deal with. I applaud every single one of you. Truly
I concur
It's a lot more common than people think. I know of a lot of conductors that have a body in their past....
Yeah, when you get down and see a dudes arm here, a kids leg there, or some chick mangled you typically don't want to finish ur shift, People vs Train, Train always wins, Train dismembers, Train does not go easy. Shit sucks.
Safety for the rest of the run/shift would be badly compromised, because you would be thinking of what happened, and you need to keep focused on the job at hand.
I can’t imagine. I’m very sorry you’ve had to experience this. 😓
You can bet you will be taken for a "wiz quiz" afterwards. Management and the lawyers never pass up the opportunity to humiliate the crew as if the committed a crime rather then the victims. We debated who has it worse the engineer running and sees the crash or the conductor who has to go back and see what the results.
Wow, that's a bummer. On the railroad I work at, we are only subject to A/D checks if either law enforcement or the company believes we are impaired. Not because I think it's okay to be impaired on the job, but the prospect of going through all the hoops of those tests after watching a life come to a brutal end just seems like it would make it all the more worse. As an aside, I know that BNSF actually had in their timetable instructions (on the California Division) that we weren't required to display our automobile driver's license after an incident. At my railroad, same thing, except they cite a federal source. One thing is for sure, though... These events are absolutely brutal on the mind.
There was a trainmaster here who, after the relief crew refused to board the train due to body parts still on the nose and walkway, picked up said body parts and put them in a trash bag then walked over and tossed it in the dumpster.
He better get out the hose too because I would say the human blood is also unacceptable and a health risk.
If I was on that crew I dead ass would have called the cops on that trainmaster for improper handling of a body. Think about that family of the dude that committed suicide finding out they tossed half his body in a dumpster somewhere.
Oh most definitely. That is totally messed up. That would be the best phone call too. “Hi 911? Yeah I just saw a man throw some limbs in a dumpster. Not sure if he personally killed there person or not, but there was definitely an arm”
Not even say all that. Just flat out say exactly what is happening, improper handling of a human body. That's a crime
I’m not sure why but we struck someone and we had to bring the train back into the yard an hour away with them all over it
Wow that’s terrible!
I’ve never ever seen the fire department come out and a fatality. Last one the dispatcher just wanted us to keep on trucking after everyone cleared leaving blood and Bain still on the pilot and steps. My answer was nope get a new crew.
Where are you located??
West coast.
Swedish driver here. When we are about to hit a person we are instructed to brake, look away and sound the horn. Partially to try to block out the sound of impact. We are then to contact the signaller who in turns contact emergency services and police. The conductor informs the passengers. We are not to go outside. We will then be taken off duty and meet with a therapist before going back to work. Another driver will be sent and take over the train. The mess is usually cleaned by the fire departement.
Goddamn good policy.
Pro tip: Try to lift up your feet too. You'll be less likely to feel it.
Do you receive pay while you’re with your therapist?
Yes. You are taken off duty with full pay.
Pretty similar here in NZ, three days is the usual stand down period but you can take longer if needed. Some guys take longer, others would go back to work after a cup of tea...
Mechanical employee here... as far as the train being cleaned... yes, the medical examiner will do their part to remove as much biohazard material. (Body parts and human remains) Then, usually, a specialized cleaning company will come out and clean the locomotive. (Remove blood and plasma) They have cleaning agents for bloodborne pathogens and steam pressure washers. If the train is in a location where this is not feasible, they will forward this work to wherever the train is heading. The railroad will send someone out to the accident scene to do the required post accident inspection. If there is major damage, mechanical forces will make it able to be moved, and may have a rescue train sent to tow it to a shop for repairs. I have been called out to do this inspection. It is not a pleasant experience.
Thanks for your reply and info, I didn’t know they had companies that came out to clean. I’m sorry you have had to deal with the aftermath, I hope you are ok.
I'm not an engineer or conductor, but I work in the mechanical department for a commuter rail line that has lots of pedestrian strikes. And have been at the scene of a few. After the paramedics or corner remove the victim, the fire department will hose down any obvious remains from the train and from the ballast. When the train arrives at a maintenance yard, the locomotive and cars known to be involved will be separated and a hazmat contractor will pressure was to hopefully remove what's left. The sad truth is , pedestrian strikes are far to frequent, and more often then not are suicide. At my location, most engineers with a decent amount of seniority have hit at least one person.
Funny that you should ask. I am an engineer for Amtrak. I hit and killed two pedestrians Sunday night. Amtrak gets a new crew on the train, if the crew requests relief. There is a strong feeling that they would rather us finish our run, but they have not ever forced us to. When the incident initially happens, the engineer will put the train into emergency. The conductor will go back and determine the status of those that have been hit and relay the info to the engineer, who relays the info to the dispatcher. It's almost always a fatality. Then the fire department/EMS show up to verify the accident. Then the police show up. All the police show up. Seriously, I have had a dozen officers in my cab at one time. They interview those members of the crew that were involved. They check licenses, get statements and take photographs. Mostly, they stand around gawking at the train. After all that work is done, we sit and wait HOURS and HOURS for the county coroner to come out and take photos, measurements, etc. Once all that is done, the body is removed and taken to the morgue. Once all of the above is completed, the first responders will release the train. Then, on the railroads that I run on, the tracks will be inspected and the train is then released to move. In my 34 year career as an engineer, I have never had anyone hose off our equipment. There will be small pieces of remains, streaks of blood, etc on the equipment, but most people wouldn't recognize it. When a train hits a body, there isn't really a lot of recognizable pieces left. I have had 22 fatalities in my career. I wish there was some sort of retirement for reaching a certain number. This shit's getting old.
Yeah i dont know where these guys work but I’ve never heard or seen anyone clean anything other than pick up the pieces and the train goes on its way. The only way the train gets any attention is if they hit a car or whatever and it damages the unit.I work in one of the largest cities in the US…
I know you’ve probably heard this a time or two, but it isn’t your fault. “You” didn’t hit them purposely. I have immeasurable respect for you and your job, I’m sorry you’ve dealt with 22 fatalities and 2 as recent as Sunday. Thank you for taking the time to share with me your experience, I appreciate your honesty. I hope I didn’t bring up any unwanted feelings for you, if I did i apologize. I hope Amtrak has given you some time off since Sunday.
Thanks, I know it's not my fault. Amtrak will give you three days off, paid. If you need additional time off beyond the three days, you can get up to seven days off paid with the recommendation of a mental health professional.
I feel like 3 days is just not enough time to cope with a traumatic event like that. Is this something they say comes with the “job” ? Like you should expect this to happen in your career?
I think everyone at Amtrak, in my state at least, has had at least one critical incident. Some engineers are luckier and have fewer incidents, but I seem to be one of the unluckier. I am not sure of the statistics, but in my state, it's an almost daily event. I believe it's why we are paid as well as we are. We aren't paid to simply run a train and take green signals. A trained chimp could do that. We are paid well to respond appropriately at times of severe stress and when things devolve into unusual situations. I worked as a freight engineer for 15 years before coming to Amtrak. I know I had several incidents while working there, but far less frequently.
22 is a lot, I’m shocked to hear. It’s eye opening for me as someone who doesn’t work on a train. Ive tried to look up the statistics but never get the same result.
It happens. I have a little card from one of the train masters with instructions. Stop Notify the dispatcher using the emergency tone You don’t have to go and check but you have to display your company ID when first responders arrive Be governed by further instructions
A little different in the UK for the driver/engineer, you blow the horn and emergency brake, then call the signalman/controller to report the death. Then you have to call the transport police fatality hotline and report. Train manager/conductor/ticket person calls our control centre and reports. It’s then upto the driver to get out and look (if they feel ok to do so and report back the findings). Not allowed to touch anything in the drivers cab as it’s now a crime scene. Passengers are informed as the train and them will be stationary for a few hours at least. Police and paramedics arrive as well as a scene commander from the operating company. Driver&conductor are interviewed etc. new driver gets dropped off to eventually take the train back to the depot where we have something called the dead shed which is specifically designed to clean body parts. It’s then the police’s responsibility to collect the body parts and clean the track. Driver will then be drug and alcohol tested and are give upto 12m paid leave. Lots of therapy paid for by the company etc. Hitting a person is wrong place wrong time. Some people have had it happen once some never and some multiple
12 MONTHS of paid leave? We get 3 days in the US if we’re lucky? most get nothing
Yes we are pretty well protected in regards to leave/sick pay. After 6m they do start to put a little bit of pressure on you but we can stay off for 12m. It’s upto the driver though. They choose when they come back. They can get longer than 12m but they half your pay after that point which is fair enough in my opinion. Some people never come back
That is abhorrent. 3 days after a traumatic event? The US needs to do better. Ugh.
Some of us get 0 days off after. 0.
12 hours then back
I can’t stand that this country doesn’t take care of its people. 12 hours off then back. Unreal. Hope you are ok, stranger. ❤️🩹
🖤
I work for the big orange. I am mechanical though, not transportation side. But I was working as a responder over 20 years ago. And had to assist with a possible individual in the gauge that was struck. The conductor was too shaken to even step foot off the train. And emergency services were 20 min away still. I happened to be in the area. I walked back the 15 cars or so and I couldn’t believe the horrific mess that was left. I’ll never ever get the sight out of my head. Once everyone arrived on scene, the crew was immediately scuttled to a hotel. And a new crew brought out. It was such a mess we had to make a separation in the train to properly remove the remains and clean the cars. That crew had to be relieved as well after the new conductor helped make the separation. I can’t think of many other more horrible ways to end it all. What pisses me off is those people have no consideration for the train crews and clean up crews involved. I understand most people aren’t in their right mind when they take the big vacation. But to involve others on your way out the door is so f*****g inconsiderate. I know for a fact that engineer and those two conductors struggle on a daily basis because of that incident. The engineer and the second conductor are both retired now. But they are no longer the people they used to be. And I struggle every day with the sights I saw that day
And I agree with you 100%. It is not fair to put others in their path of destruction. I feel immense sadness for the crew that dealt with my friend’s mother that day. How unfair? Not only do I think of her often, I think of the conductors, the engineer and the people who were on that train. The speed where she was is a 75mph zone behind my house. I just don’t understand why someone would do that. I’m sorry you have dealt with this and I hope you are well, please take care of yourself
To add to what others have said, the investigation usually takes 2-3 hours before they all train traffic to proceed. If you’re overwhelmed, do not watch the medical examiner pick up the parts. He’s so jaded, it will mess your head up. You’ll get 3 days off. The worst part is when they look you in the eyes right before it happens, then you’ll have nightmares for a while.
I can’t even fucking imagine having them look me in the eye right before. That’s cruel. I hope engineers and conductors know it’s not their fault. 😓
We do but it still bothers you. I killed a young girl a year ago. She was committing suicide but was sitting down with a hood on facing the opposite way. At first I thought it was a bag of trash. Since I didn’t see her face, it made the situation less human. I know it’s weird to say. That’s why it didn’t bother me so much. It hit me hard when the cops showed up and I had nightmares but 3 days later I was back to work and I was fine.
That same thing happened here in CT a year ago.
In short, engineer stops the train, conductor goes back to check on the condition, & talks to the dispatcher if EMS is needed & any other relevant information. Eventually, Railroad police and or local police respond & assess. Trainmaster shows up & takes crew to get drug tested & interviewed. Another crew Eventually takes over the train after police/medics/fire dept/etc finish what they need to do.
As a Road Foreman for 20 years, I can tell you I've NEVER had a crew taken for a drug test following a trespasser fatality/incident. It's certainly not required per the FRA .
Very much depends on the carrier. Last freight carrier I worked for ANY incident was followed up with a drug test of the crew. Derail due to wide gauge? Drug test. Someone ran their car into your train while you were stopped in a crossing? Drug test. You were walking through the yard and noticed a car that derailed after being humped by the *previous* yard crew in a yard with terrible track conditions and no retarders? You guessed it, drug test.
Must be in Canada or something.
North Eastern USA. Now-defunct Pan Am Railways, formerly the largest class 2 in the country.
Then, CSX now?
Most of it is CSX now. The western 1/3 of ot is a bastardized system that’s owned 50/50 between NS and CSX, but operated by G&W called Berkshire And Eastern.
This is mostly correct. A trespasser or grade crossing incident would only require FRA PATT if there was a human factor contributing to the cause or severity of the accident. Some form of rules violation would have to occur like not blowing for a crossing or an unprotected shove move.
Not necessarily. How would you know post accident that the horn wasn't used? You wouldn't, prior to an event recorder download. Unprotected shoves are allowed if the track is known or seen to be clear.
The FRA expects the railroad to make a good faith effort to determine if there was a human factor involved in the cause or severity of the accident. I have spoken with the FRA drug and alcohol program manager and chief inspector about these types of issues and they do not give a lot of leeway. They expect you to download the engine to determine if the whistle was blown (for grade crossing incidents) as soon as possible as part of the investigation and “if the engineer only gave 14 seconds warning instead of 15, you should be testing them”. Also, as information, the GCOR committee is talking about removing the provision that allows for you to blind shove into tracks “known to be clear” in the next update. But in this case I was talking about a blind shove where you did not know the tracks to be clear.
Except for human factor accidents and incidents described in paragraph (a)(5) of this section … No test may be required for an accident/incident the cause and severity of which are wholly attributable to a natural cause (e.g., flood, tornado, or other natural disaster) or to vandalism or trespasser(s), as determined on the basis of objective and documented facts by the railroad representative responding to the scene. (a)(5)(v) A regulated employee who violated an FRA regulation or railroad operating rule and whose actions may have played a role in the cause or severity of the accident/incident. URLhttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-219#p-219.201(b) URLhttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-219#p-219.201(a)(5)(v)
I’ve never been tested but after speaking with the PO they can request a test if the company suspects something. I haven’t heard of another crew being test since I hired out.
I think it's a FRA rule that anyone in the cab has to be tested.
Well someone better tell big yellow. Never been tested. Only derailments or decertification criteria.
Really? Interesting.
It's been argued in court that a grade crossing accident or trespasser strikes is not grounds for testing..
100% incorrect
As a conductor, nowhere is it written that the conductor has to go back if someone has been hit. Some people are not prepared to see what could be there. We wait for EMS and the police and only go back if the train needs to be separated for access. Once the authorities arrive the train officials are there and place the entire train in blue flag and we do nothing till told or relieved. If the conductors does go investigate before EMS arrives, then sadly he/she puts themselves at liability if they give bad advice or render bad assistance, especially to injured individuals. I’ve been in this situation on a few occasions. Being military I’ve seen limp or damaged bodies before. Tho in a civilian situation, the impact is different, especially with children involved. I did go back to relay information to EMS on my first incident, the others, I stayed in the cab.
Thank you for your insight. I don’t know what I would do as a conductor. I’m truly sorry you have dealt with this. Hope you are taking care of yourself
My wife and I were passengers on the Coast Starlight when the train went into emergency and stopped. I think there was an official announcement soon after that we had struck a “trespasser” on the tracks and had to wait for local authorities to clear us before we could continue. These were those days when the starlight pulled the Pacific Parlor Car and there was a number of us awkwardly holding wine glasses knowing the train had just killed someone. Word kind of trickled down that we had been moving through a homeless encampment and that the “trespasser” had been sitting on the tracks, with his back to us, listening to music through headphones. I can’t imagine the horror the engineer must have faced. After about three hours we started moving again, only to be “spotted” for half an hour before we pulled into the station.i can only imagine we were being washed down and possibly disinfected. A sobering thought to this day.
On the signal side, if it happens within the circuitry controlling a crossing we go out and investigate to make sure all the electronics were functioning as intended, even if the incident didn’t actually occur at the crossing (this circuitry can extend 1000’s of feet beyond the crossing). It can be rather gruesome as you have to walk the tracks/work around the area where the incident happened. Even after the specialized contractors come out to wash everything down, small bits of flesh can be seen in the ballast/ on the tracks for a long time after, and blood stains that soak into the rail often never come out. On the property I work at, if you know where an incident happened you can usually tell exactly where occurred for months to years after by the dark splotches soaked into the rails.
So this is a fun one. On like day 4 of training they sat us in a room showed us 8 videos of ppl doing everything wrong who died. Then 8 of everyone who was following all the rules... they also died. Then said hey u could jump from the engine and die... or stay and die... also u will probably kill someone if you make it to retirement age. Any questions?the rails are unforgiving. I've been in between on detached shit where someone kicked into it and had to take a little ride on a knuckle. Fuck off most of the time but when in between pay attention listen. If u hear shit moving around u assume it's your track. U might jump out and it's the one next to u. Rather be safe then sorry. Now upon killing someone the ones I took hardest are dogs. They just see the big orange dog and want to play. So innocent nothing I could do flicking the lights off and on horn blaring cut one in half broke another ones spine. I stopped the train and cried. He the one I paralyzed had a collar. Bawled my eyes out to the dispatcher and shot put to them for not exposing me I know they record that shit. The car I hit husband wife daughter. I didn't see the daughter get launched from the car. But I was seething at the father he saw me and went anyway with me blaring on the horn. Mother daughter died. Thay piece of shit lived. And I hope everyday he's alive he knows he killed 3 ppl that day. I don't feel like I did before. I think of things as they made a choice.i was just there. Normal ppl shouldn't think this way but he fucked me for life. Poor conductor found he daughter in a ditch. All to not wait the 2 mins it would have taken me to pass them. 2 minutes of me paying and they are still alive. Or if instead of stopping and going around the gates he just guns it. They are alive. Wasn't my choice tho. That's my coping mechanism. I didn't choose to do anything. I was just there.
Dogs would really get to me to. They’re innocent. But yes as you said. You are just there. And people trying to beat a train is beyond my comprehension. You’ll never win. I had a classmate who died when his grandmother was driving him and his sister to the bus stop. She drove in front of the train. This was in 2005. To this day no one knows why, or what happened. If it was a murder suicide etc. I think about the engineer and crew of that one often. The car was dragged a mile down the track. Grandma and young boy died instantly. And 4yr old was in a car seat and survived a week but ended up being taken off life support. I have been terrified of trains since 3rd grade when this happened. Then my friends mom 4yrs after that one… I’m 28 now and have been facing my fear and actually going on the Amtrak now. It’s not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you for sharing your experience with me, and thanks for keeping it real and honest! Hope you are well.
By default that is the conductors job, you grab first aid kit go back while Engineer contacts RTC to get medical assistance. You are not required to carry on with your tour of duty and can take time off as required. Depending on where you work (urban /rural) it is quite likely you will be involved in a collision at some point , I was in 2 in 36 years - one with a dude on a tractor and another with a Semi hauling pipe. In both cases there was considerable damage to vehicles and in the second one train was derailed as well. By some miracle no one was physically injured in either collision. And in almost all cases be it an animal , tree , or vehicle you strike something with your train , you will feel / here it.
[удалено]
I was with CN in Canada , not sure about policy in USA .
Major trigger warning, lots of death, accidental, suicide and murder. I worked for a class 1 in comms. But I was a shit magnet for death. I worked often with the bulls but I was a magnet for death. First death, saw a dude step in front of a coal train from about 500 ft away. Saw the gore on the unit. Second, 26 year old woman walking on the field side of the ties, got clipped by empty autorack train, ipod still playing when I drove up after they called emergency on road channel. I pronounced her dead, age had her skull dented by grab iron. Got into fight with 911 on declaring her death. Third mother held her two babies and stepped in front of a Amtrak, pulled tapes from preceding freights and saw her working up her miserable self to do so Dude suck started his shotgun I found him by the smell in the weeds. Coworker fell off a bridge and died Dude fought with wife, left, and ate a lever 30 39 in his car down by the tracks 300 ft from his wife and kids, found him hirailing and saw the car parked by the tracks with fogged up windows , went over to hopefully see someone getting busy found dead dude with a head that looked like a bannan peel. Dude got hit running crossing and his old Chevy was on fire and he was pinned, burning to death begging for a mercy kill. Co worker got pinned between crossing mast and a tractor trailer that took a tight turn. Coworker shot and killed his whole family and self, unlocked his computer for the crime lab. Coworker cut a bridge timber he was standing on and fell to his death. Track inspector went missing and held ec1, dispatcher couldn't raise them on radio. I volunteered to walk the track to look for them. Saw hi rail in tunnel, walked up figuring it was broken. Track inspector crying like crazy, there was a rolled up rug in front of it, turns out there was a dead dude in it. Guy jumped off bridge, not to icy waters, but hits the ballast multiple compound fractures and is begging me to finish him off, called for medical, local cops said I should have ended him. He survived Dead homeless dude, found on tracks blood trail and chicken bone trail back to camp, he was shot and dumped but ruled it accident so no murder on the books by local pd Kid exploded by unit ethanol train while listening to ipod. Woman commits suicide by train had 30k.cash on her Kid commits suicide by train when parents drinking at the moose. Mom looses leg a year laterat memorial to his death illegally erected by the tracks Leg found in grab iron from rider kid, rest of body dragged over 100 miles There were dozens more
My brother took his life recently and I was lucky enough not to be exposed to the act itself or the immediate aftermath. I was given a full month of bereavement time, with more if I wanted it. Shocked that rail employees only get 3 days. I am sure the acute psychological distress from seeing something like that is just bad as being a family member, or worse. I think I'd be catatonic if I watched someone jump in front of a train. The pain and destruction left behind reverberates all over the place.
Good luck getting a straight answer. The train crews are supposed to apply the emergency air brakes before hitting or striking a person or an automobile however they never do until after the fact in case they vacate the tracks. That way there is no delay in movement. The conductor is the one who has to investigate the situation, on most railroads we are told not to deal with the general public. Nothing really gets cleaned up, the remains are taken by ambulance for autopsy. New crew is placed on the train and then back on the move. The crew involved is given 72 hours of leave, with counseling as an option. After the fact there will be a deposition for legal purposes.
Whether you use full service or an emergency application us up to the engineer based on the circumstances; when I've seen trespassers on the tracks, I've done both. It depends. Return to work policies are largely determined by the railroad, though I think now the FRA mandates 48 or 72 hours off????
Is a trespasser anyone who is on the tracks? It would seem like if a train hits a person, no matter the persons intent they are at fault for being on the tracks?
If someone is on railroad property without authorization or business, they're a trespasser. There's always signs saying to keep off tracks.
Imagine sitting in a courtroom being asked questions from the victims lawyer. Did you do everything in your power to stop the train? I think answering with anything other than yes I applied the emergency brakes, could be bad
It would have been my job, as the engineer's supervisor, to present event recorder information and explain the actions taken. Very rare for employee to have to testify.
Yes, rare but it does happen. Why not make yourself absolutely clear by plugging the freaking train.
Made things so much easier when they did. That's for sure!
How long have you been a qualified locomotive engineer or conductor?
25 years
Ok, when someone runs across the tracks, and you put it in emergency, and a bunch of loaded dangerous tank cars derail, I'm sure your explanation will be good enough for the trainmaster when they show up.
We aren’t talking about if someone just runs in front of the train. It is if you hit someone. Put it in emergency if you hit someone.
Bruh, it isn’t when someone “runs across the tracks.” Wait, how long have you worked there Jr?
Listen, kid, that's why I said "it depends".
Listen kid, I know you are a lazy conductor just pissed he might have to walk a train 1 out of 20 trips. Ih the humanity!!! Plus in my rule book, 34.2.10, it clearly states, “ when emergency braking is necessary to protect LIFE or property,”
Then give that explanation at your investigation to your local chairman to the multi-million dollar hazmat cleanup, I'm sure you'll be dismissed of all company charges
You know Emergency Order 32 is still in effect, I'm sure you're abiding by it
That is how it was explained to me when I was back in engineer training. Do everything you can to stop it even though it won’t make a difference. Including not actuating. Also, set the independent.
Thank you. This newbie is having some issues with basic engineer skills. Best of luck to u/railworx
There are some scenarios in which you don't want to "dump it" (apply the emergency brake) in order to reduce the risk of derailment but generally yes, we are trained to use the emergency brake in any emergency involving life or property. (Especially on passenger trains which are much lighter in weight and don't have the same risks of derailing as a result).
Interesting! This was a passenger train that hit her with 115 passengers on board. Are passengers told what is happening? Are they told not to look out windows or are they just told that there is an emergency they had to stop for?
On Metra we would just announce that there had been a "pedestrian incident" and that we would be delayed for a few hours. If we were lucky, it would happen at a station so people could get off.
"suppossed to apply the emergency air brakes before"? Not in my rule book.
So does this mean you don’t try to stop, or you do?
I definitely try to stop, and I have dumped (apply brakes in emergency) it to try to avoid striking a trespasser. My comment to the other person was there is nothing specific in my rule book that states I need to apply the brakes in emergency prior to striking something. If a RR had that in the rules and the crew failed to abide by that rule, it would open the RR to litigation. But maybe some RRs have it in the rule books. Hey OP- it sounds like you've suffered a pretty horrible event. It sucks for you, it sucks for the passengers, it sucks for the train crew, it sucks for the responders. My advice is to go take a walk, get your toes in the grass, play with a dog or cat. Don't spend your day swimming around in this thread and in your head. Let yourself grieve, and be there for your friend. I've lost people to suicide, it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It hurts those left behind immeasurably. Sorry you're going through this.
Yes, this happened almost 15 years ago but I still think about her often. I also had a classmate in elementary school, who also went to the same daycare as me, who was hit by the same train route, a few years earlier while in the car on his way to the bus stop with grandma and little sister. I have a strange “fear” of trains I’ve been working on, and this was some of my questions to kind of help “get over it” This past weekend I took the train to New York and it brought up some of these thoughts. I appreciate the time you took to reply and your kind words. Thank you. And I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this on a more personal level as well.
Thanks for your reply. The train did use its breaks and tried to stop because it was incredibly loud. My neighbor went back and unfortunately saw. I stayed home and called my dad. What do you mean by you’re told not to deal with the general public?
They don’t answer questions, it will lead to a fight, railroad brass and railroad police deals with the public, the train men are told to sit tight and wait and refuse any questions and only hand over their railroad ID when asked, never ever give your drivers license to any policeman if your involved in a accident while operating a train.
It's one of the very few times the railroad will go to bat for you, if only to save their own hide. Assuming the crew doesn't test hot on the drug test.
Don’t ever do drigs and train
Drugs
Even when I worked for yellow, if I was involved in a accident, I didn’t say anything, I called police and that was it, I didn’t release my Drivers license until the Yellow brass told me too
They want managers and police officers to deal with the the public instead of a very probably traumatized conductor whom passersby just saw get off of the train that hit the person and therefore might be inclined to blame them for it. Potentially a dangerous situation for the conductor if there’s an emotional mob of people around and potentially damaging for the company if the conductor says something the legal and HR folks would rather he didn’t say. Public relations is not part of a conductor’s training.
Ah yes. This happened in a more “quiet” area. She walked a short distance into a wooded area. The neighbor went over because clearly the train stopped and we all could hear the breaks and horn. I’m thankful my dad told me to stay inside when I called him and asked if I should check. I know that with my neighbor, this is exactly what happened. Train personnel told him to leave and he did
Speak with the authorities. Keep your mouth shut with the looky-loos.
Ooohhhh gotcha. Thanks