SUV hit by train, what were they thinking???

[Bird]

I'd never seen a Houston Metro train, but I'll bet that train was made by the same outfit that made the Denton County Transportation Authority trains; slightly different color and front end is about all the difference.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Well, that was dumber than a bucket of dirt.

"He apparently had kids in the car week with him. The news said no one was hurt and the driver was ticketed."

I think he used up a whole lifetime worth of luck on this one. Most of the time a train hits a vehicle like that, it's shredded and everyone in it too. Only thing is, looks like the train had slowed down before entering the crossing, and there was only the two cars so not like a megaton half mile long train doing 50 to 70 mph.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

that will buff right out.

 

[Leyenda30]

I've hit quite a few in my career and it's no fun watching helplessly as you impact. The stuff bad dreams are made of for sure. I'm retired now but have lots of memories from these crazies thinking the can beat the train. It's amazing the thoughtlessness especially with small kids along for the ride too. JP

 

[Looking4new]

I have absolutely no sympathy for the driver of the car. He got way less than he deserved. I have all kinds of sympathy for that poor train operator/engineer that has to live with this kind of poop for the rest of his/her life.

 

[Thomas]

Indeed a shame.

 

[jimmyj]

It is interesting the experiences that some of you have had, notably Leyenda30.

We used to hike to a hunt camp my buddy had way back in the forest. You could either walk 2miles along a terrible trail or take a 1 mile shortcut along a set of train tracks. Most of the rail line was a gentle curve through high rock walls on either side. It is amazing how fast a speeding train comes up on you. Even standing 15 feet off to the side it is intimidating.

 

[dmccarty]

I used to have to cross some train tracks. Depending on traffic I could cross at where there were gates or no gates. People are just dumb. Almost every time I would have to cross the tracks, at least one driver would park on the track and/or under the gates. How can you NOT notice you are crossing the tracks? They make great rumble strips. :shocked:

This was during morning rush hour and these people were driving the same route every, single day. They had to know there was a train track there. :confused3: What was really scary was that during this time, not only did a freight train roll through but so did Amtrac. The tracks themselves should have been clue enough. Then there was the signs and in some cases, gates. If that was not enough of a reminder, you would get caught at the tracks at least once or twice a week at the crossing by and actual train. Here is a clue. :confused3:

I would never get real close to the gates track and I would try to leave room between the front of my truck and the next vehicle so I could drive out if possible. A couple of times I thought I would have to bail out of the truck and run like heck if the car did not get off the track in time. I was within a few car lengths of the track and if the nimrod parked on the tracks got hit by a train I figured there was a chance my truck could get hit by debris.

Some people simply are clueless and do not think.

Later,
Dan

 

[Looking4new]

God must love stupid people.....He made so many of them.

 

[k0ua]

What were they thinking?... that is just it, The driver was NOT thinking!