A while ago a discussion of X'ing. accidents covered the tragic and morbid
nature of these events. One collision in which I was involved was the exact
opposite ! Equipment damage and delay to trains were the only "tragic"
elements of this incident.
Called for train out of Savanna at an insanely early hour we waited for it
to arrive. It arrived ! 6610 was the lead unit followed by an SD40-2 and a
moderately sized train. Boarding the engine I checked the "work report" left
by the La Crosse Engr. (we REALLY used ta DO them things). ON the report was a
mention of missing bolts on nose door. The "bolts" referred to are supposed to
help keep the door shut in the event of a collision with something. I voiced
an opinion to Jerry, my head Brakeman, concerning my reluctance at hittin'
somethin' BIG with this engine because of the missin' bolts. We departed.
At Waterman we had 45 mph. slow order that probably related to track
conditions. As the morning sun began to warm the cab and induce sleep, I began
complying with this slow order. The inducement to sleep overpowered the head
man however. As we passed through Waterman at 45 I took note of a
canvass-covered grain-hauler traveling east on Hy. 30. Since he had no slow
order he was movin' at a faster pace than we were and he eventually passed our
entire train. As he approached the intersection with IL. Rt. 23 he activated
his turn signal to indicate his intention to turn south, right across the
tracks. Passing beyond the limits of the slow order I began to advance the
throttle and resume track speed (60).
About a quater mile from the highway x'ing. I noted the driver beginning
his right turn, a turn that, as mentioned, would take his 18 wheeler over the
track on which I was nearing the aforementioned track speed. Hoping he was
turning only far enough to get a good view of the track from his right side cab
window I waited. It soon became apparent that this was NOT his intention.
After I realized his TRUE intent I crossed the cab to bring the head man back
into a fully alert status. I believe he attained that status as soon as I
mentioned that we were probably gonna hit that #$%^ truck directly in front of
us. He stood up, muttered some profanities and joined me as I took a position
below the windshield and as LOW as a person can get. The "suspense" ended
quickly though as we proceeded to disassemble the truck's trailer with all the
attendant noise and rough ride usually associated with such an event.
Very shortly after the collision, and before comin' to a stop, I became
curious as to our exact position as it relates to the track. I stood up for a
look. Anyone who has ever gone for a pilot's Instrument Rating will
immediately recognize the situation I found myself in. "Under the Hood" !!
The canvass that had originally been covering the load of shelled corn was now
covering nearly ALL the windows that EMD had provided for us to look out of the
cab. After stopping some of the canvass fell away from the cab and it became
apparent that we were still properly positioned on the rail.
Walking back to the x'ing. I was intent on ascertaining the reasoning
employed by the driver that caused him to, after driving by the ENTIRE train,
get HIT by that train. Well, the first thing I ascertained was that the driver
had temporarily lost a degree of control over certain bodily functions. Later
he related to me that another driver, who he saw at the intersection, had
briefly taken his concentration away from the job at hand, namely, NOT driving
in front of our train.
Soiled coveralls, destroyed trailer and a few bent appliances on 6610's
front end were the only "casualties" caused by this particular incident. The
same CANNOT be said of all similar incidents however.
Sorry, I can't really tell "SHORT stories". Also, images have been
posted to the site.
Karl Photo album "Corn Truck".
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