Advocacy & Safety - Amazing what I see when I commute & capture on camera.

Disclaimer:
1. This thread has nothing to do with the helmet issue.
2. The only thing this thread has to do with in regards to cycling is I was commuting home on my bike.
3. This is a safety issue thread, in part my safety, in part someone else's whom I do not know, never spoke with, just saw him do something very stupid & unsafe.
4. I am advising that no one ever does either of the things you will see in the photo's I took.
5. This thread is in no way funny but rather a serious issue.
6. I was not looking for what happened to happen, it just did, unplanned & unexpectedly so in this regard I am in no way a damn busy body.
7. The one guy doing the stupid **** with the train could have easily been killed or seriously injured.
8. The ******* in the car could have injured me had he hit me.
9. This thread is not to turn into a VC evangalism, you can make VC comments but please don't use it as a forum to convince people to strictly ride VC.
10. This is in no way a troll thread. Just something I happened to witness on the way home from work, didn't go looking for it.

First the set up of how these event happen to fall into place as they did:

I commuted home from work tonight via my bike.

There was an informal public meeting with the DOT regarding the down town section of the up coming I-29 project that will start in 2009, which I attended.

I thought the meeting was at the Long Lines Family Center, where I rode to first where I found out it was at the Sioux City Convention Center. So I rode to the convention center for the meeting.

It was on the way to the convention center from the family center that these events took place.

What took place:

Behind the Long Lines Family Center is a set of railroad tracks. To get to the convention center I had to cross these tracks. As I was riding away from the family center I heard a train coming. By the time I got the tracks the train was there so I had to wait. While I was waiting a pedestrian walks up as well on the sidewalk. By the way he was looking up & down the lenght of the train I had an idea he was going to try to climb between the cars instead of wait. I was right, he did exactly that. When the train stopped he climbed between the cars & continued on his way. This is unsafe, stupid & illegal. In fact just as he climbed down the other side & set foot on the ground the train started moving again. Had the train started moving he could have fallen between the cars & probably would have been killed. These are grain cars I am talking about. When a train stops, then retarts the cars jerk when the slack is taken up, this would have knocked him off the car he was on.

The second thing that happened is from a car that was parked along side the road. The driver got in his car, started it & instead of waiting or asking that I move he pulls forward on my right side, does an illegal uturn around me between me & the railroad crossing. There are no arms that come down at this crossing. This ******* is inches away from me. When I stopped I had taken the lane to prevent vehicles from pulling up beside me, in other words I was doing the VC thing. Had he took the u turn to wide he would have hit the train. Had he taken it to short he would have hit me. Had he asked that I move I gladly would have. Parked motorists are to yield the right of way to vehicle on the roadway, stopped or not.

Had I not made the mistake I never would have seen this.

In your opinion should I inform the police about either incident?

Look at the photo's I took.

Your thoughts, discuss.

Definately call the cops and file a report.
Im sure the Soiux City police department are dying
of boredom right now and would welcome a concerned
citizens suggestion that they go investigate a guy making
a u-turn or jumping a train coupling.

:roflmao:

People do dumb stuff around trains and get killed for it all the time. You could tell the police what you saw and maybe they'll come out and sit a patrol car out there just to scare people into thinking twice. They will do that sometimes.

omg that ped was a idiot and a lucky idiot.

"Had he asked that I move I gladly would have."

From the tone of your posts, I think you may have posted about it anyway compaining that someone asked you to move.

Anyway, the first issue did not involve you and had no impact on you whatsoever. How would the cops find the guy from your pictures. Should have zoomed in on his face. hehe whatever.

The 2nd issue is no issue either.

Yes, the train jumper took a chance, and the driver was could have been more polite (news flash!). But since you weren't moving at the time, I wouldn't make a big deal of it. He had no reason to think you were about to move, and he felt he had room to do his little maneuver, and evidently he was right. I'm sure it didn't cross his mind that he was endangering you, and frankly, he wasn't all that much. Forget about it.

In your opinion should I inform the police about either incident?


Incident #1. No, MYOB
Incident #2 Get real. The driver didn't do anything wrong.

I think you should ask them both to do it again so you can get better pictures.

They should electrify the train chassis.. anybody grabs hold of it and BUZZZZ !!!! =)

They should electrify the train chassis.. anybody grabs hold of it and BUZZZZ !!!! =)


Lol that would be funny put about the same amount of juice through it as a electric cattle fence. Just make sure to not tell any one about it and have hidden cameras. Should make for some good tv ZAAAP then the person tryign to jump he train screaming wth!

Id say that at least half would gently touch the train again to double check the shock was for real lol.

Since I started running a video helmet cam on my commute, I'm amazed at the number of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists I've filmed violating traffic laws. And the videos don't even capture the universal speeding by motorists.

I'm not surprised at the pedestrians' behavior - most of them are motorists who just happen not to be in their cars at the moment.

1. I'd do/have done the same thing...as a cyclist. Went to school in Flagstaff, which has freight trains crossing at all hours. If the train is making you late for class, and a train driver is pulling that 1/2 mile-per-hour shenanigans, you climb through or go under. From the pics, it looked like the train was stopped or going really really slow. At least he climbed over the coupling instead of trying to crawl under the car.

2. I'd do/have done the same thing.

If you had called the police on me if I were the guy in the picture, I'd fess up to it, laugh at you, and the cops would probably laugh also.

Is it a double track? That would have made it more dangerous, since a train might have come along on the second track as he crossed through. Perhaps you shoud have called out to him "Be careful!" or something. Otherwise it wasn't particularily dangerous...trains start to move very slowly so you can easily jump off before it picks up speed (unless you're jumping into a ditch or the path of another train). Having said that, it was somewhat akin to trespassing...you're not supposed to climb on someone's train!

I agree the car was rude to scoot around you without a wave or saying "excuse me" but it seems like it was again a harmless, not particularily dangerous move. You were standing still and there was room in front of you for the U-turn.

They should electrify the train chassis.. anybody grabs hold of it and BUZZZZ !!!! =)
no what about the hobo subculture America needs its Hobos!!!!

1. I'd do/have done the same thing...as a cyclist. Went to school in Flagstaff, which has freight trains crossing at all hours. If the train is making you late for class, and a train driver is pulling that 1/2 mile-per-hour shenanigans, you climb through or go under. From the pics, it looked like the train was stopped or going really really slow. At least he climbed over the coupling instead of trying to crawl under the car.

"1/2 MPH shenanigans?" Have you ever been in the hogger's chair before? It's not shenanigans - not any different then the slower acceleration rate of a bicycle in comparison to an automobile. It isn't easy getting 40+ tons of railcar to tag along behind you. Gets even slower when you're running the 'yellows,' or worse, red signals. Common enough in congested rail areas.

My suggestion would have been for you to start out earlier, alloting yourself some extra time for the crossing. Climbing through or ducking under are both extremely dangerous maneuvers without the bike, let alone with. Then there are the usual leaking gravel from the bottom dumps on hopper cars - the gravel spilling looks innocent enough from 10 feet, but it's a hailstorm once you're under it.

...and I'll belt the next person who attempts to blame it all on the engineer. Try the job out for a month before you bash 'em for anything and everything relating to the consist he's pulling, the speed he's going, or the railroad in general.

</rant>

Oh, and to the O-P: Next time, call the BNSF police. Walking behind the gates would be enough to get that fellow in trouble, let alone slipping through cars.

-Kurt

Incident #1. No, MYOB
Incident #2 Get real. The driver didn't do anything wrong.
+1
An old saying I read somewhere as a kid: "When everyone around you is not measuring up, it may be time to check your yardstick".

... Had he asked that I move I gladly would have ... Disclaimer: I may be the only one with this opinion. The use of "you" is not directed specifically at the OP ...

Does someone really have to ask you to be courteous? Volunteering courtesy on your own weighs more in my eyes than waiting for someone to request your courtesy.

It's like the difference between giving your money to charities and giving your money to taxes. You can give the same amount to both but which one makes you feel better?

I've been at red lights in the right lane (non-right turn only lane) and looked behind to see a vehicle with a right turn signal flashing. I don't wait for the operator to stick their head out of the window and ask me to shift over to the left a little to allow them by. If it is safe enough for me to do so, I do it on my own.

Good Luck,
d.tipton

Disclaimer: I may be the only one with this opinion. The use of "you" is not directed specifically at the OP ...

Does someone really have to ask you to be courteous? Volunteering courtesy on your own weighs more in my eyes than waiting for someone to request your courtesy.

It's like the difference between giving your money to charities and giving your money to taxes. You can give the same amount to both but which one makes you feel better?

I've been at red lights in the right lane (non-right turn only lane) and looked behind to see a vehicle with a right turn signal flashing. I don't wait for the operator to stick their head out of the window and ask me to shift over to the left a little to allow them by. If it is safe enough for me to do so, I do it on my own.

Good Luck,
d.tipton

First of all I had the right of way, he did not. I was exercising my right to the road, by taking the lane & stopping where I did, as a VC.

From what I read in your response is you go straight in right turn only lanes. Not only is this not safe, it is also illegal & not VC at all. If you're going to go straight, stay in the lane that goes straight, do not use the one that is a turn lane only. If the lane allows both then either do not signal, or take the center to left side of the lane. But you should not have to move over to allow a car to turn right when you're going straight just because they are behind you. They can & should wait until you're clear of them to make their turn. I never move over to allow a car behind me to turn right when I am going straight & I never go straight through in a turn only lane either. I learned not to allow a vehicle to pull up beside me to turn when I am going straight. I have almost been right hooked by a car by being all the way over to the right which allowed a car to pull up on my left & I did not know the motorist was turning until it was almost too late.

Yesterday we found a large pile of junk dumped on the side of a road near a trailhead. Among other things, the junk was full of biohazards (used needles from a tattoo parlor.)

Since it was really none of our business, I guess we should have just ignored it. Instead, though, we found some envelopes with the tattoo parlor address on it and called someone from the city.

What is so wrong about sticking your nose where it doesn't belong if you can prevent people from doing stupid things that could hurt someone?

Oh, and to the O-P: Next time, call the BNSF police. Walking behind the gates would be enough to get that fellow in trouble, let alone slipping through cars.

-Kurt


I've heard this suggestion before - how exactly do you get ahold of the BNSF SS squad? It's not printed on the trains, or on the RR X-ing sign.

First of all I had the right of way, he did not. I was exercising my right to the road, by taking the lane & stopping where I did, as a VC.

From what I read in your response is you go straight in right turn only lanes. Not only is this not safe, it is also illegal & not VC at all. If you're going to go straight, stay in the lane that goes straight, do not use the one that is a turn lane only. If the lane allows both then either do not signal, or take the center to left side of the lane. But you should not have to move over to allow a car to turn right when you're going straight just because they are behind you. They can & should wait until you're clear of them to make their turn. I never move over to allow a car behind me to turn right when I am going straight & I never go straight through in a turn only lane either. I learned not to allow a vehicle to pull up beside me to turn when I am going straight. I have almost been right hooked by a car by being all the way over to the right which allowed a car to pull up on my left & I did not know the motorist was turning until it was almost too late.

Re-read his post. He said he was in a non-right turn only lane.

I see the concept of "common courtesy" has eluded you. Would it have hurt to back up a foot to give the guy some more room, or would you rather get run over based on principle? Apparently he didn't even need the extra room so no harm, no foul. Where's the beef?

Yesterday we found a large pile of junk dumped on the side of a road near a trailhead. Among other things, the junk was full of biohazards (used needles from a tattoo parlor.)

Since it was really none of our business, I guess we should have just ignored it. Instead, though, we found some envelopes with the tattoo parlor address on it and called someone from the city.

What is so wrong about sticking your nose where it doesn't belong if you can prevent people from doing stupid things that could hurt someone?

It's one thing for stupid people to do stupid things to themselves. It's another for stupid people to cause harm to the environment and leave potentially harmful biowaste where others could hurt themselves. You did the right thing by getting involved in this case.

It's one thing for stupid people to do stupid things to themselves. It's another for stupid people to cause harm to the environment and leave potentially harmful biowaste where others could hurt themselves. You did the right thing by getting involved in this case.

+1, though unfortunately BNSF has reasons for not letting people risk their lives - i.e., they would probably sue if they got hurt.

I've heard this suggestion before - how exactly do you get ahold of the BNSF SS squad? It's not printed on the trains, or on the RR X-ing sign.

It usually is marked somewhere on the crossing gate post, along with a crossing ID number. At least, that is how CSXT does it. Always helps to have a small book of various important phone numbers pertaining to local law enforcement services that you may need to use while riding in your area. In this case, use the BNSF Protection Solutions Team number:

http://www.bnsf.com/tools/resourceprotection/protection.html



+1, though unfortunately BNSF has reasons for not letting people risk their lives - i.e., they would probably sue if they got hurt.

Yep, chances are the relatives of the injured (and the local news stations) would proceed with the usual mantra of blaming it all on the railroad. Pass the buck! :rolleyes:

+1, though unfortunately BNSF has reasons for not letting people risk their lives - i.e., they would probably sue if they got hurt.

Of course you're right. People can sue for anything. That's why I feel it's up to the train owners/operators to police themselves. There should be someone watching both sides of the track at all times, moving or not. Let them take lawful action against violators.

We have a police/fire scanner on at our shop all the time and you wouldn't believe some of the trivial calls that come in. If the OP wants to call the BNSF about that sort of thing I imagine it would be a good reminder for them to step up their own policing, but please leave the city/county police to tend to more important matters... like busting a tatoo parlor for dumping biohazards. :)

That's why I feel it's up to the train owners/operators to police themselves. There should be someone watching both sides of the track at all times, moving or not. Let them take lawful action against violators.

A sentry at both sides of the track at all times? Do you realize how many miles of BNSF trackage you'd have to police? It'd be akin to having a traffic cop at every city block and intersection. Nice idea, but wholly impractical.



If the OP wants to call the BNSF about that sort of thing I imagine it would be a good reminder for them to step up their own policing,

Reminder? Takes some nerve to say that. Police can't be everywhere at once, and I'm sure most cyclists will agree that the local PD officers are never around at that very moment when some cager attempts to barber your bar tape and trim your lever hoods.

Their number is there so you can report in incidences - same as any other PD office. You seem to expect that they have a sixth sense that will tell them where anything illigal is being done. Sorry to tell you, it don't work that way.



but please leave the city/county police to tend to more important matters... like busting a tatoo parlor for dumping biohazards. :)

Did anyone actually bring this up? I'm sure the OP would have called the BNSF police had he known their number - perhaps he didn't know that the railroad had their own police force in the first place. Logic would indicate that if someone doesn't know the latter, his/her inclination would be to call the local city or county police. Of course, if one dos know the number for the BNSF police, I don't see why they would call local police instead.

-Kurt

The reason I did not call the city police, even though I have their non-emergency number programmed into my cell phone, is by the time they got there the idiot who climbed between the cars would have been long gone. I am still considering turning the photos over to the police & BNSF so they are aware of it & maybe when a train comes through they'll monitor the crossings more then they usually do. I was not aware BNSF had their own police dept. I will find out what the number is & programe it into my cell phone as well as Union Pacific Santa Fe. Both have yards in Sioux City.

I have also seen people with bicycle crawl under rail cars as well. One guy got through & when he was pulling his bike behind him the train started moving & crushed his bike, he almost lost his arm. I started laughing because of his stupidity. The funniest part is we could see the end of the train, it was about 100 yards away from the crossing.

I have also seen a car with people inside hit by a train, not pretty & very deadly. The car with 3 people inside went around the middle of the arms that came down. The one survivor blamed the rail road & the train engineer. I could not understand that. The arms were down, the lights were flashing & the bell was ringing & the train was blowing it's horn, yet they did not have the patience to wait so they tempted fate & lost.

So people need to stop lecturing me about how to react to this. Witness something as horrible as a car with people in it getting hit by a train & then come talk to me.

hmmm, train companies dont need to police the whole track, just the trains... Wouldnt people ON the trains be the best people to watch what is going on?

Not a train nut here, so dont know how it is actually done.

hmmm, train companies dont need to police the whole track, just the trains... Wouldnt people ON the trains be the best people to watch what is going on?

Not a train nut here, so dont know how it is actually done.

You have an engineer and a brakeman placed at the head of the consist, and in some cases, at the rear as well. The center of the consist can easily be a mile away from either end. There is no possible way for the crew to monitor anything over 100 feet behind them, if that.

And if I may answer your next question in advance, there is no way in hell that you could get the FRA to mandate surveilance cameras on every existing piece of freight rolling stock. Other then the obvious fact that outfitting over one million railcars (an extremely conservative estimate) in the country with security cameras would be a daunting task, think of the expense.

-Kurt

A sentry at both sides of the track at all times? Do you realize how many miles of BNSF trackage you'd have to police? It'd be akin to having a traffic cop at every city block and intersection. Nice idea, but wholly impractical. No, I'm refering to the train operators. Shouldn't they be looking out for this sort thing and be in the position to allert the appropriate authorities? Seems if they're not being vigilant they are exposing their company to lawsuits.



Reminder? Takes some nerve to say that. Police can't be everywhere at once, and I'm sure most cyclists will agree that the local PD officers are never around at that very moment when some cager attempts to barber your bar tape and trim your lever hoods.
I wasn't referring to the police. See above. The train operators should have that responsibility. Or is that not how it works? You seem to have the inside track (pun intended) on this. Enlighten me. Edit: I see you just did in another response.



Their number is there so you can report in incidences - same as any other PD office. You seem to expect that they have a sixth sense that will tell them where anything illigal is being done. Sorry to tell you, it don't work that way.

Did anyone actually bring this up? I'm sure the OP would have called the BNSF police had he known their number - perhaps he didn't know that the railroad had their own police force in the first place. Logic would indicate that if someone doesn't know the latter, his/her inclination would be to call the local city or county police. Of course, if one dos know the number for the BNSF police, I don't see why they would call local police instead.
-Kurt
And my position is the offense didn't warrant the OP calling the cops. That is what he asked in his original post. If it had been kids goofing around the train that would be a different matter. But it wasn't, it was just a stupid adult.

Now if the OP wants to alert the BNSF, now that he knows about them, that they have a problem with people jumping the train in town, fine. Or if he wants to put their number on his speed dial now, fine. Their train, their responsibility. Just don't bother the city/county cops with it. Like you said, they can't be everywhere at once, and they don't need people thinning out the ranks with petty bs like this.

So people need to stop lecturing me about how to react to this. Witness something as horrible as a car with people in it getting hit by a train & then come talk to me.

Hey, you're the one that asked our opinion. Don't blame us if you didn't like it.

The one survivor blamed the rail road & the train engineer. I could not understand that. The arms were down, the lights were flashing & the bell was ringing & the train was blowing it's horn, yet they did not have the patience to wait so they tempted fate & lost.

Not uncommon - as cell-phone cagers are to the A&S forum here, these morons who blame the railroad for their glaring mistake are to railfan discussion forums. It happens more then you think too.

One of the more common "sue the railroad" incidents is when some idiot uses the rails as if was a jogger's path (MUP, if you like), and consequently, gets run over. Sure enough, if that person had relatives, the railroad is blamed - no matter how many "No Trespassing - Private Property, entrance punishable by law, etc." and "DANGER" signs are posted. Frankly, you're asking for it if you walk the rails.

-Kurt

And my position is the offense didn't warrant the OP calling the cops. That is what he asked in his original post...Now if the OP wants to alert the BNSF...Just don't bother the city/county cops with it. Like you said, they can't be everywhere at once, and they don't need people thinning out the ranks with petty bs like this.


I understand your point about not bothering the local P.D. Dpt. about the matter, I agree with you regarding that.

Do note though that N_C did point out in a later post that he had no idea that BNSF had their own police. I'm sure that if he had known this before, he wouldn't have even asked here on the forum if he should have alerted the local P.D. department - the choice would have been obvious: Call the railroad PD.

To the OP: I'd go ahead and inquire with BNSF to see if the photos are of interest to them. If the consist you saw on that day is a regular scheduled freight for that day, the BNSF might look into having one of their officers stationed there later on to catch anyone snaking through the cars.

Alternately, they might even edit their traffic pattern as to allow these consists to proceed through town at a better pace, although I'd seriously doubt that they'd take it this far. You never know though...

Take care,

-Kurt

Do note though that N_C did point out in a later post that he had no idea that BNSF had their own police. I'm sure that if he had known this before, he wouldn't have even asked here on the forum if he should have alerted the local P.D. department - the choice would have been obvious: Call the railroad PD.



I did note that point. You edited it out when you quoted me. The full sentence I wrote was: "Now if the OP wants to alert the BNSF, now that he knows about them, that they have a problem with people jumping the train in town, fine."

So we're in agreement that NC probably should notify the BNSF, particulary since his later posts describing other incidents. There does appear to be a problem that needs to be addressed in his town.

NC, enjoy your new cell phone, but please use it responsibly and save the use of the speed dial for the serious transgressions and emergencies. I'm done.

I did note that point. You edited it out when you quoted me. The full sentence I wrote was: "Now if the OP wants to alert the BNSF, now that he knows about them, that they have a problem with people jumping the train in town, fine."

So we're in agreement that NC probably should notify the BNSF, particulary since his later posts describing other incidents. There does appear to be a problem that needs to be addressed in his town.


Noted. Just wanted to clarify that I believe N_C's original question was not a time-waster at all, for he (and I'm sure other readers of this post) are now aware that railroads have their own police that should be used for rail-related complaints.

Take care,

-Kurt

I have also seen people with bicycle crawl under rail cars as well. One guy got through & when he was pulling his bike behind him the train started moving & crushed his bike, he almost lost his arm.

Was anything good left behind in the wake of his bicycle's wreckage? Bent Campy derailer? :p ;)

-Kurt

Was anything good left behind in the wake of his bicycle's wreckage? Bent Campy derailer? :p ;)

-Kurt

I don't know. But I doubt the bike was anything bought at a LBS. It looked like it was a x-mart bike & did not look in very good shape. Even so they guy who crawled under the cars probably lost his only mode of transportation. He is one of those that ride in jeans, a ball cap & t-shirt. Kudos to him for using a bike, no matter what the brand or quality, for transportation. Shame on him for crawling under train cars.

The train crushed & cut in half the main part of the frame. I have seen steel cut in a shear before, but this was like a hot knife through butter. The 2 halves were dragged a distance then I saw one half end up what looked like tossed into the weeds & brush that parallel the tracks. Don't know what happened to the other half.


This happend not to far from the yard. It is possible the one half stayed under the train & had to be pulled out by a yardman.

The train was putting cars on the correct tracks in the yard. So it was stopping, moving forward, stopping, moving backward, etc.

Can things like this damage a train car or cause a derailment?

In Sioux City it is illegal for a train to block a crossing for longer then 10 minutes. I think this is remain stopped. If the train is moving there is no violation. Stopped trains block the crossings longer then 10 min. all the time though. This only happens at the rail yards. From what I have heard it is cheaper for them to pay the city the fine then it is to rush & run the risk of putting the cars on the wrong track in the yard.

One concern I have with that is if someone needs EMS & the emergency vehicles are blocked by a train & there is either no back up to respond or it will take too long to go around & a person could lose their life as a result.

I don't know. But I doubt the bike was anything bought at a LBS. It looked like it was a x-mart bike & did not look in very good shape.

"Bike, Expendable." "Check..."



The train crushed & cut in half the main part of the frame. I have seen steel cut in a shear before, but this was like a hot knife through butter. The 2 halves were dragged a distance then I saw one half end up what looked like tossed into the weeds & brush that parallel the tracks. Don't know what happened to the other half.

Sounds about right.



Can things like this damage a train car or cause a derailment?

A bicycle frame caught under a railcar? Fat chance. That's 10 tons putting pressure on the rails right there. I recall a cab ride once on a GP9 (old '60s locomotive made by GM-EMD) in where we had to traverse a bad area of town. Everything conceivable had been put on the rails, including a 2 foot 4X4". Sure enough, the wheel did 'catch' it, and I watched as we went over it. It was in two neatly cut pieces before it ever reached axle #2.



In Sioux City it is illegal for a train to block a crossing for longer then 10 minutes. I think this is remain stopped. If the train is moving there is no violation. Stopped trains block the crossings longer then 10 min. all the time though. This only happens at the rail yards. From what I have heard it is cheaper for them to pay the city the fine then it is to rush & run the risk of putting the cars on the wrong track in the yard.

We have a 15 minute rule here in FL. It is violated now and then, but it's usually due to some very poor track arrangements then anything else, requiring two-mile-long coal drags to reverse direction down three main highways in town at rush hour, due to a Y in the rail design. Funny thing, all that's stopping CSXT from building a connection between the two Y points is a small bridge and some state goverment land.



One concern I have with that is if someone needs EMS & the emergency vehicles are blocked by a train & there is either no back up to respond or it will take too long to go around & a person could lose their life as a result.

There is one very critical thing which has been inexcusably neglected.

Current procedure with a rolling consist is the usual: Sit and wait. You'd think that someone would have put together a radio network with the railroad to keep mobile emergency units alert of rail traffic and alternate routes for the area.

As for consists that are stopped, I've heard that procedure is to either move the consist, or split the train for the emergency vehicle. Not sure how many times this has actually been done, for disconnecting and reconnecting the consist would probably take longer then simply moving the consist.

Both methods highly unsatisfactory, I must admit.

Take care,

-Kurt

Was anything good left behind in the wake of his bicycle's wreckage? Bent Campy derailer? :p ;)

-Kurt
Even if there was, N C better leave it alone - lest another do-gooder like himself should see him tresspassing on the tracks and whip out their cell phone and begin speed dialing all the 'proper authorities'.:p

He is one of those that ride in jeans, a ball cap & t-shirt.

What's wrong with that? That's what I wear, except it's shorts right now and never a ball cap. I can't help but laugh at all of THOSE people riding high end racing bikes with every piece of bicycle clothing possible, well they look like really good riders though don't they? I actually kind of dig getting the stink eye as I pass them, t-shirt and shorts flapping in the wind, pack full of water and other stuff, and headphones jamming.

What's wrong with that? That's what I wear, except it's shorts right now and never a ball cap. I can't help but laugh at all of THOSE people riding high end racing bikes with every piece of bicycle clothing possible, well they look like really good riders though don't they? I actually kind of dig getting the stink eye as I pass them, t-shirt and shorts flapping in the wind, pack full of water and other stuff, and headphones jamming.

Nothing is wrong with that. Nothing at all, never said there was or meant to imply there was. I see people ride like that all the time. A lot of them are our homeless population. The local mission has a large number of bikes, the homeless use them to get around. I do not think the guy I saw was homeless. He probably didn't have a car & either didn't want to use the city busses, couldn't afford it or the bus route does not go near where he lives. Or that day he decided he wanted to ride his bike. What I do know is he did not seem that upset at loosing the bike to the train. So for all I know the bike could have been stolen. When the train took the bike he just walked away like it was no big deal.

I have no problem with what people wear when they ride. I do ask if it is comfortable for them. Everyone I've asked has said yes. I have tried it & it is no comfortable for me, so I do not wear jeans, or denim shorts or cotton shirts. I do not wear actual bike cloths but I do wear synthetic moisture wicking exercise clothing. On my bike I don't need padded shorts or the snug fitting jersey's that do not flap in the wind. If it is comfortable for people to wear denim & cotton shirts when they ride, more power to them.