via E-Mail
For suggestion or comments contact Cy Martin via E-Mail
Last week,, in Southlake, the driver of a loaded gasoline truck pulled out in front of FWWR's passenger train and stopped on the tracks. The Tractor was struck and knocked into the barrow ditch. Fortunately there was no fire.
One can only guess what was on the drivers mind -- if anything. The view of the track is clear for nearly a mile in either direction. He should have seen the train. He should have heard the engine's stean whistle. According to news reports, no one on the train was injured. The only apparent damage to the the train was a slight dent in the 100-year-old locomotive's cow-catcher.
The trucks driver was hospitalized apparently for injuries suffered when he jumped from the cab before impact.
News reports say that the train was only doing about 10 miles-per-hour at the time. A KXAS aerial photo showed the train traveled less than half an engine length after striking the truck.
Only members of a locomotive crew can fathom the stark horror felt by these brave people.
Railroad crews everywhere are faced with this or similar situations on a daily basis, and for this reason the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the United Transportation Union and other railway unions in cooperation with the various railroads sponsor the Operation Lifesaver Program.
One of the most effective O.L.Programs is the "Trooper- on-a-Train" where police officers ride our trains to educate them to the fact that this problem exist. They tell us that a trip between Fort Worth and Dallas at rush hour is a real "eye-opener."
Cy is a Locomotive Engineer in Fort Worth.
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