5 people injured after Amtrak Keystone strikes tractor (5/5/18)

[OlympianHiawatha]

If folks had common sense there would be very few if any grade crossing accidents as the presence of railroad tracks should automatically alert the senses to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN! But, of course, many people completely lack such common sense!

 

[Lonestar648]

When the original HS plan was implemented, a solution to this private crossing should have been built at that time. This should have been an obstetrical to permitting 110 mph.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

From the original post:

"While everyone was discussing yogurt and boxed lunches, this occurred."

I am one of the most guilty of discussing what in comparison is frivolous, but it's taken me a while to process this and post about it. I love the Keystone, I love that part of Pennsylvania, I love the farms, the river, the gentle mountains along the route....Taking a Keystone train through Lancaster County has always been a special treat for me, a local trip that can be done on a whim, a comfortable ride almost as nice as sitting in my own living room, only with much better scenery. And the calmness of the animals, the mothers coming out with their chlldren to wave at the train, the sheer peacefulness. And I love the cab cars....I did not realize how fragile they were.

So it did upset me...just took me a while to face the fact that things can happen anywhere, even on a favorite local route that always seems peaceful and beautifully uneventful. I am just thankful that the injuries were not worse and hope that the farmer and the passengers all are completely okay now.

 

[Acela150]

Folks I'm pretty sure that the Private Grade crossing has been there for years. Maybe even before the Main Line existed. And has anyone heard of accidents at this crossing before such? No. You're all wasting your breath saying it should be closed. Trains blow the whistle in accordance with the FRA laws for said crossing. Crossing accidents happen every what is it? 3 hours or so? So why not close those down too.. Oh wait.. Get over it people this is just part of railroad operations.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Folks I'm pretty sure that the Private Grade crossing has been there for years. Maybe even before the Main Line existed. And has anyone heard of accidents at this crossing before such? No. You're all wasting your breath saying it should be closed. Trains blow the whistle in accordance with the FRA laws for said crossing. Crossing accidents happen every what is it? 3 hours or so? So why not close those down too.. Oh wait.. Get over it people this is just part of railroad operations.

I think you're missing the point. While I have heard this crossing predates the line (and it required to exist as part of the agreement to run the train), the speeds have dramatically increased on this line.

Having an unmarked, private crossing without gates in 110mph territory should have raised eyebrows. It probably did. Now, an incident has occurred, and once again a major bullet was dodged. I saw the INTERIOR pictures. Imagine if that cab car had been packed to the gills.

This wasn't a 20 mph freight train coming down the track, that shrugged off a car. This was a train being quietly shoved at 110mph. As such, that cab car will now be scrapped. There is damage to other cars as well.

We don't say "well there's no need for traffic lights at intersections because there is a car accident every few seconds."

 

[Lonestar648]

There has to be some responsibility by the crossing owner. They have the responsibility to train their people and themselves about using the crossing safely, about how quickly a 110 mph train comes upon you. About how quickly you can be totally across, cab and trailer if a truck

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Folks I'm pretty sure that the Private Grade crossing has been there for years. Maybe even before the Main Line existed. And has anyone heard of accidents at this crossing before such? No. You're all wasting your breath saying it should be closed. Trains blow the whistle in accordance with the FRA laws for said crossing. Crossing accidents happen every what is it? 3 hours or so? So why not close those down too.. Oh wait.. Get over it people this is just part of railroad operations.

Rather than casually admonish everyone for not "getting over it" why don't you tell us what the FRA's formal rule is for private crossing horn usage?

 

[cpotisch]

We don't say "well there's no need for traffic lights at intersections because there is a car accident every few seconds."

While this doesn't apply in this context, it turns out there actually is something to be said for getting rid of traffic lights:

http://thecityfix.com/blog/naked-streets-without-traffic-lights-improve-flow-and-safety/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/04/removal-road-markings-safer-fewer-accidents-drivers

 

[railiner]

We don't say "well there's no need for traffic lights at intersections because there is a car accident every few seconds."

While this doesn't apply in this context, it turns out there actually is something to be said for getting rid of traffic lights:

http://thecityfix.com/blog/naked-streets-without-traffic-lights-improve-flow-and-safety/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/04/removal-road-markings-safer-fewer-accidents-drivers

Interesting...I have also read about the old fashioned traffic circles, or 'rotaries' as they are known in some parts, making a comeback for the same reasons....

 

[west point]

Are we to understand that until this crossing is closed and sealed 125 MPH operation will not be allowed on this route by the FRA ? What are the present and future plans by Penn DOT for 125 operation to be implemented ?

 

[jis]

Are we to understand that until this crossing is closed and sealed 125 MPH operation will not be allowed on this route by the FRA ? What are the present and future plans by Penn DOT for 125 operation to be implemented ?

I haven’t seen or heard of any such plans. Not clear that there is a positive cost-benefit case for such given the extremely curvaceous nature of substantial segments of the route.

 

[fairviewroad]

Are we to understand that until this crossing is closed and sealed 125 MPH operation will not be allowed on this route by the FRA ? What are the present and future plans by Penn DOT for 125 operation to be implemented ?

I haven’t seen or heard of any such plans. Not clear that there is a positive cost-benefit case for such given the extremely curvaceous nature of substantial segments of the route.

Not to mention the frequent stops. And ultimately, this is a route that competes with private autos, not air travel. Getting from 110 to 125 won't make a whole lot of difference in terms of its attractiveness.