Subj : Re: Todays Classic Ad
To   : Daryl Stout
From : Ed Vance
Date : Fri Oct 10 2025 11:40:23


> Ed,

>   It is NO CONTEST betwen ANY vehicle and a train..whether it's
> just a locomotive running light (with no other cars), or if it's
> a fully loaded freight train.

>   One locomotive is over 300 tons...and a fully loaded freight
> train is over 12,000 tons (likely much higher). If it's doing
> over 50 mph, it can take from 1 to 3 miles to bring that train
> to a stop, once the engineer "puts it in the big hole" (applies
> the emergency brake)...and all the crew can do is "watch you die".

>   It's the equivalent of you driving your vehicle over a can of
> soda pop or beer.

>   They will NEVER seat me on a jury involving a grade crossing
> incident...the laws of physics win every time.

>   In a poem that The Good Lord gave me, called "No One Asks The
> Engineer", it basically highlights the tragedy at a railroad
> crossing, when a vehicle tried to beat the train. Normally, they
> don't even consider the thoughts or feelings of the crew...but
> as the poem notes, many had to quit, and have recurring nightmares
> over the incident, which was totally preventable. 

>   The 2 verses I highlight are as follows:

> Had I been the engineer on the train that day,
> And if you asked me how I felt, here is what I'd say.

> "There was no way that I could stop, or out of the way, swerve".
> "They ran a red light at a crossing, and got what they deserved!!".

>   You can read that poem at http://www.wx4qz.net/rxr.htm -- along
> with a public service announcement I did for Operation Lifesaver,
> the organization that promotes safety at highway grade crossings.

>   It takes far more inertia to stop something moving, than it does
> to get it moving from a dead stop. For that matter, many folks think
> that they can stop just as quick on a wet, snowy, or icy pavement,
> as they can on a dry street. It easily becomes "demolition derby".

>   Across the Earth...we rush to beat:

> 1) The traffic lights at intersections.
> 2) The trains at railroad crossings.
> 3) The boats at draw bridges.

>   But, we'll stand patiently for 3 hours on the golf course.

>   You figure it out.

> Daryl, N5VLZ

> ... Try to beat a train to a railroad crossing, and you'll be DEAD WRONG!!
> === MultiMail/Win v0.52
> --- SBBSecho 3.29-Win32
>  * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:19/33)


Daryl, When rereading this today I thought about Tow Boats on the rivers and
Large Vessels on the oceans.
Those can't stop quickly either.

Reminded me of what a Tow Boat Captain told me , he saw a motorboat was coming
towards the head of the barges in his towon his Starboard (right) side, he then
put both engines in full reverse but didn't see the boat appear on the Port
(left) side.
He thought his tow had ran over the smallcraft and it made his guts tear up.
A few minutes later the motor boat appeared traveling away from the tow.
The motorboat operator had made a right turn as he traveled in front of the
barges and had slowed to the same speed as the tow was traveling and stayed in
front of them for a while until speeding away from the tow.

That Captain had the same feelings that Railroad Engineers have when vehicles
are on the Tracks in front of them.

Myself, I cause Road Rage at a nearby Crossing because I slow way down and look
left and right before going through the crossing.
I do that because I am afraid there may be a Electrical Power Failure that has
prevented the Signals or Guard Gate operating.

Yes, I am a case. They haven't found me yet.
Please don't tell em.
Ed   .  .
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