More than likely (the terms vary slightly, depending) was on a Medium or Restricting cab signal. It’s unlikely, based on the vid, that they were going any faster than 25 in that scenario. Either that, or there was already a temporary speed restriction in place limiting them to say 40 mph. Tops. 

It’s not uncommon for the crossings themselves to malfunction. Adding more tech (and contracts, labor, maintenance, IT logistics, etc.) to what already is a daunting job for a RTC (think traffic cop) is nearly implausible.

It is odd that the first usually happens when someone is new on the job. Or, if nothing else, it’s pretty much assumed it is gonna happen on their “Friday”.

It’s not something that most people want to bring up. Even working as close as I did with several Engineers over the years, it took a long time to even find an appropriate way to ask if they had ever killed someone. Even then, you kinda don’t wanna know anyway. It’s a pretty heavy topic. 

Torch, it’s like you are getting what I’ve been saying around here for awhile. People are trying to develop tech to make us less engaged in what has been known as everyday life, only to replace it with something that can be monetized and engaged in their eco-system instead, regardless of its actual true value. It…

Not to get to morbid, but yeah, on purpose. Some people wait for an express to come by that isn’t gonna stop soon and do it that way. I know of more than one instance of someone hiding underneath a platform and when the train stops they put their head right in front of a wheel to get sliced like a watermelon. On the…

Wait a sec! Are you saying you cant set it to cruise at, say, 30 mph for a trip across the lake?

It’s hard to describe (I’m sure it’s all over youtube) but the windshield/all windows on most diesels are actually comparatively small. So, it’s not really that big of a deal unless it gets a perfectly direct blow. These are pretty rare. You might catch a steel beam from a trailer jut through (super unlikely), but I…

This thread reminds me of one night at work that I always thought was hilarious. It was just me and the Engineer deadheading some equipment down to NYC late at night. We were going as fast as legally possible b/c once we tied down we were done for the night. So going somewhere between 50-70 mph, looking out for deer…

I know what you are saying, for sure. It depends on the jet system though. If it is running at a legit idle, there is no steering. A lot of the newer ones have a bit more oomph to them so maneuverability is actually really good. It’s not perfect, but a far ways ahead of the original Yamaha Waverunner days. It’s pretty…

That all depends on the engine. In this case, it’s a diesel, so nowhere to hide really. You “could” go down into the bathroom/storage compartment, but then you are closer to the ground. This isn’t ideal.

People never believe it when I tell them that statistically an Engineer/Conductor is going to kill someone at some point during their career. The ones that haven’t yet are dreading their first. One of my absolute favorite Engineers that I ever worked with had 14 “jumpers”, or suicides, in her 25+ years. She still had…

It’s 11 a.m. somewhere...

In a lot of ways it’s pretty cool. The handlebars are potentially a deal breaker unless they have some sort of (semi)auto-pilot directional holding system. Dicking around with constant course corrections would get really annoying, really quickly.

Going impeller has it’s advantages as far as the ability to operate in shallow water, quick trim for planing, super easy to dock/trailer/beach, among other things. Having “brakes” is nice as well.

Very true. However, it goes beyond a housing location. There are more than a few businesses/jobs that require proximity, even if you live nowhere near it.

Ahh, the Dream Cruise. Brings back a lot of memories. Mostly involving everyone who lives even remotely near Woodward constantly repeating the phrase “I fucking hate the Dream Cruise...” for a solid two weeks.

Huh? As a retired train conductor, I can assure you that is not remotely close to how trains operate. I can explain more if you want, but yeah, getting a proceed cab signal on the right-of-way isn’t affected directly by a crossing.

The cherry on top of the “Well, I guess I’m fucked here...” is that he looses a shoe. That’s for sure the moment when you officially give up.

Used to be that I’d see a grey reply to me that I’d like to address for one reason or another, but now they are MIA. I don’t even bother looking anymore.