Another US truck hit by train

[AndrewE]

Train smashes through truck stuck on railway crossing​

A train crashed into a truck which was stuck on a railway crossing in North Carolina.
The truck driver got away in time and no injuries were reported.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-65859078 shows video of train runnung through trailer. Not much other info - or explanation of why it was stopped on crossing... What is the vehicle with flashing lights parked ahead of it?

 

[Darandio]

I'm not sure why this one was interesting enough to warrant a video on the main BBC page earlier. This happens several times a week over there.

 

[ac6000cw]

Apparently this is the crossing - https://www.google.com/maps/@34.983...g9p5YZPqsWuoTQig!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Note the 'low ground clearance' warning signs (and the scrape marks on the road surface over the crossing, if you have a wander around in Streetview) - according to wbtv.com the truck 'got stuck after landing gear got caught on the asphalt'

I'm not sure why this one was interesting enough to warrant a video on the main BBC page earlier.

Probably because there's video of it actually happening...

 

[eldomtom2]

Probably because there's video of it actually happening...

There are plenty of collisions that get recorded - such as this very dramatic one from two years ago of the Heartland Flyer hitting a car carrier...

 

[Cowley]

Certainly a lot of clips of these things happening on YouTube!

 

[Taunton]

Not much other info - or explanation of why it was stopped on crossing...

This happens regularly in the USA due to a combination of various aspects. The railway reballasts and rebuilds the formation, leading to the tracks being a couple of feet higher than previously. Road surface is just regraded both sides of the single line, leading to a significant hump. Huge number of level crossings makes it not worthwhile to rebuild them all. US long articulated trucks have notably low ground clearance to get the maximum load in them. Truck drivers have moved on from competent professionals to minimum-pay and experience drivers from an agency. And they regularly go aground on the crossing, straddling equally either side.

Main US railroads, including Amtrak, commonly have quite a number of their locos in their main works ('the shops') for heavy repairs after grade crossing accidents.

 

[ac6000cw]

There are plenty of collisions that get recorded - such as this very dramatic one from two years ago of the Heartland Flyer hitting a car carrier...

Certainly a lot of clips of these things happening on YouTube!

TBH, it's not the sort of video content I'd go looking for anyway, especially as one time I was train watching over there and saw two pickup trucks 'chance it' weaving round the lowered crossing barriers in front of a moving freight... they made it, to the accompaniment of continuous blaring loco horns...

'Humped' crossings aren't just a problem in the US - the village I live in has two AHB level crossings, and both are 'humped' with scrape marks on the road surface.

 

[Taunton]

I do recall a US 'Trains' magazine illustrated article a few years ago, an enthusiasts' excursion, pictures of it all before departure, off down the line. At a crossing, struck a cement truck, leading loco dented, handrails smashed off, covered in cement, truck overturned of course. Photos of them stopped, police came, no significant injuries, hey-ho, on we go, same crew, bent loco and all ...

Can you imagine that happening over here?

 

[ac6000cw]

Can you imagine that happening over here?

No...

On the other hand, I was on an LA Metrolink commuter train in 2015 when it hit a trespasser (sudden heavy braking then several thuds as something hit the lower part of the double-deck car I was in). Conductor announced what had happened, Police arrived fairly quickly then we had to wait for the coroner to arrive. Metrolink officials arrived and explained that as soon as the police & coroner etc. had finished the train would continue with a new crew. I guess not so different to what would happen in here in similar circumstances?

 

[AdamWW]

I do recall a US 'Trains' magazine illustrated article a few years ago, an enthusiasts' excursion, pictures of it all before departure, off down the line. At a crossing, struck a cement truck, leading loco dented, handrails smashed off, covered in cement, truck overturned of course. Photos of them stopped, police came, no significant injuries, hey-ho, on we go, same crew, bent loco and all ...

Can you imagine that happening over here?

I'm not sure we have rolling stock that would be in a fit state to move after such an event.

 

[Falcon1200]

Can you imagine that happening over here?

No, but then such incidents, while still possible of course, are far less likely to happen over here in the first place, which is probably better......