Another commuter train and vehicle on crossing accident. This on in Oxnard CA and a early, 5:44 am, so the train was not fully loaded. 30 injuries when the train hit a truck at the 5th and Rice crossing. I rode Metrolink on my last So Cal visit......really scary to think about.
Street level crossings and vehicles..........education or something needs to be done....
Train was in push mode......
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Two in California in 24 hours....
Jon 
Ridden through here many times and Metrolink and Amtrak. This section goes though a lot of farm land and trucks and tractors are going through several rail crossings along the way.
I have watched the news broadcasts and would like to make a few observations and comments.
Was the train traveling from the upper right to the lower left in the above picture. ?
The crossing guard arm is up. Could it have been turned off after the wreck for some reason(?) or did it fail to operate?
Skid marks on the ground show where the cars overturned and how they slid. Is it is impressive how the cars remained intact.
Was the train crew seriously injured?
The truck involved was certainly destroyed. What was it carrying anything or was it empty?
Douglas
I was just watching this on FOX. The driver of the vehicle just left the truck on the tracks and walked away. According to the reporting the police arrested the driver but still not have said why he left the truck on the tracks.
I have watched the news broadcasts and would like to make a few observations and comments.
Was the train traveling from the upper right to the lower left in the above picture. ?
Train was in push mode.....running upper to lower in the photo I posted.
The crossing guard arm is up. Could it have been turned off after the wreck for some reason(?) or did it fail to operate?
Gates were down per witnesses on site.
Skid marks on the ground show where the cars overturned and how they slid. Is it is impressive how the cars remained intact.
Was the train crew seriously injured?
4 people injured seriously but crew or passenger not said
The truck involved was certainly destroyed. What was it carrying anything or was it empty?
Unknown.....but a farming area and could have been chemicals that caused fireball and for it to burn to the ground.
Douglas
According to CNN news about 30 people were injured. There were two serious injuries where people were evacuated to a trauma hospital. All the other injuries were less serious. I haven't heard whether it was train crew or passengers that were hurt. I would expect that most of the injuries were to passengers.
This picture shows that the passenger cars are pretty strong to withstand these types of forces without collapsing or coming apart. The strength of these double deck cars probably mitigated the casualty levels.
Joe
This picture shows that the passenger cars are pretty strong to withstand these types of forces without collapsing or coming apart. The strength of these double deck cars probably mitigated the casualty levels.
Joe
Per a Metolink official the silver colored cars were new builds from 2010 and are designed to absorb impact and remain intact in an accident. Not sure what is different but being very 'modern' cars, only 4+ years old, I am sure they are state of the art.
Per investigator on site the truck driver turned right and onto the tracks and got stuck....abandoned the truck. He had meant to turn right onto next street....got confused.
Per investigator on site the truck driver turned right and onto the tracks and got stuck....abandoned the truck. He had meant to turn right onto next street....got confused.
Just great. There is also a preliminary report that the truck may have been on fire prior to the commuter train colliding with it. Plus, the truck driver ran away, but was subsequently captured.
This is not a unusual accident on the Metrolink lines from stupid folks to dumb to know they are on railroad tracks,
it happens frequently. They need to give them some kind of test to see if they are not idiots and can understand RR crossings signals so they can drive. But living in CA for 35 years teaches you that it will continue on and on and more will die. One that still stands out is the jerk that played chicken with a train while riding a horse at full gallop into the oncoming engine killing the poor horse, I was on that train and it still ticks me off.
A public video from Daily Mail.com & You Tube. Only 43 seconds,
Train it truck
This accident has dominated LA news all day, if the truck driver had grabbed a couple of flares and put one out on each side of the stuck truck, the engineer would have had a better chance to stop in time, instead he walked away. No one wants to ask the question, undocumented alien? A lot of ag truck drivers are unlicensed and illegals.
News media: can't figure out the difference between an engineer and a conductor, they use the terms interchangeable.
I get KTLA on Dish network.....and was watching this morning when they got the 911 call for the accident. I do agree that the news anchors had issues identifying train components that we find easy.......but it only demonstrates how even 'educated' people are totally ignorant as to the workings of a train of any kind. At one point they discussed how the engineer in the locomotive could see anything when the train runs in pusher mode......they thought the engineer was in the loco cab no matter the direction....then when told he was in the 'CAB' on the front.....struggled with that for a while. Not downing these news folks.......just shows why the vast majority think a train is just a long truck.......
Latest report I read indicates that the driver has been arrested for felony hit-and-run, as he was found 1.6 miles away from the accident location. He also has a valid commercial drivers license from the state of Arizona (he is from Yuma apparently). When questioned by the news media about possible drug or alcohol use, the police spokesman indicated that they were "definitely looking into that aspect".
it only demonstrates how even 'educated' people are totally ignorant as to the workings of a train of any kind.
Or police operations or firefighting or aviation.
Except for the transportation reporter at our local NBC affiliate. He is a model railroader. When an oversized load struck a truss bridge and caused a collapse that closed I-5 he brought in a model from home to explain what "fracture critical" means.
He also has a valid commercial drivers license from the state of Arizona (he is from Yuma apparently).
Jack, are you sure it was a CDL? The report I read just said that he had a valid drivers license, it did not specify what class of license he had.
The truck that he was driving does not appear to have been a tractor trailer, but from the best info that I have seen, it was a pick up with a utility bed pulling an enclosed cargo type trailer.
Please don't confuse this guy with us Professional Drivers, we already catch enough heat as it is, without crediting us with what someone like this does.
Doug
Please give your prayers and good wishes for the engineer, he is reported in critical condition with chest injuries (heart and lungs,) one of the doctors interviewed said it may be a couple of days before his long term survival is known.
As mentioned, the truck driver has been arrested, his wife is quoted as saying he did nothing wrong, well, except abandoning his truck on the tracks, not calling 911, not putting out flares, just walking away.
The truck is being reported as a heavy duty Ford pick-up, not a semi.
Breaking news:
I just read on aol news that the truck driver purposely abandoned his truck on the tracks. He wanted to cause this accident. The truck was found to still have it's emergency brake in the ON position and it's switch for the high beams on after the crash. Investigators found that the truck was not stuck on the tracks in any way nor was it bottomed out on the tracks.
This guy deserves to go to jail for a long time.
Sure sounds like deliberate attempted murder, to me.
That is out and out criminal. Unless the driver admits it....it will be hard to pin that on him. Hope they do if true.
Prayers to the engineer.....very sad situation.
Am I the only one that thinks that the use of cab cars should be outlawed on tracks that have grade crossings? I would feel MUCH better if the engineer was in a locomotive, even if it was just an empty shell. That could have made a geat home for all of those old F40's that used to sit around Beech Grove looking for work.
Breaking news:
I just read on aol news that the truck driver purposely abandoned his truck on the tracks. He wanted to cause this accident. The truck was found to still have it's emergency brake in the ON position and it's switch for the high beams on after the crash. Investigators found that the truck was not stuck on the tracks in any way nor was it bottomed out on the tracks.
This guy deserves to go to jail for a long time.
I said that yesterday. When I caught the fox news report. Most of that had been brought up although at the time it was unconfirmed. Dave is right about the driver unless he admits to this being on purpose it will be hard to prove.. But if they have enough evidence he could still be convicted of vehicular manslaughter. I just hope this doesn't turn into something else.
I am beginning to wonder what to believe? I heard it was a utility truck you know like gas, cable, power type truck. With the current subcontracting issues in those industries sounds like someone was miffed at somebody and the Engineman took the abuse. prayers to the injured and their families.
Am I the only one that thinks that the use of cab cars should be outlawed on tracks that have grade crossings? I would feel MUCH better if the engineer was in a locomotive, even if it was just an empty shell. That could have made a geat home for all of those old F40's that used to sit around Beech Grove looking for work.
No you're not. I sure the engineer would also feel more comfortable. I also think there should be a second engineer or someone riding in the left seat.
The LA Times is reporting the driver of the truck has previous impaired driving convictions, he will be arraigned tomorrow.
It also reports he was driving a pickup pulling a utility trailer not driving an eighteen wheeler. The utility trailer had welding equipment(maybe gas). Apparently he took a wrong turn onto the railroad thinking it was the highway, drove about 80 ft. up the roadbed,. got out of his truck and walked away.
This explains the fire that engulfed the crossing guard and the point of derailment of the cab car.
Douglas
Am I the only one that thinks that the use of cab cars should be outlawed on tracks that have grade crossings? I would feel MUCH better if the engineer was in a locomotive, even if it was just an empty shell. That could have made a geat home for all of those old F40's that used to sit around Beech Grove looking for work.
I believe cab cars have to meet the same collision standards as locomotive nowadays. From what I could see on the news, the cab car was one of the new ones with the "locomotive" front end:
Judging by the aerial photos, an unpowered F40 wouldn't have made much difference in this instance.
Rusty
The media has made a huge deal about how safe these new generation cars are, but unfortunately for the crew they are not. I delivered the very 1st cars to the Metrolink facility where the final assembly and inspections were done. These cars are great for the passengers, but HORRIBLE for the crew in the cab car. Absolutely horrible, and hence the engineer and conductor were both hurt pretty bad. Head injuries, broken back, leg, ribs etc etc.
The media has made a huge deal about how safe these new generation cars are, but unfortunately for the crew they are not. I delivered the very 1st cars to the Metrolink facility where the final assembly and inspections were done. These cars are great for the passengers, but HORRIBLE for the crew in the cab car. Absolutely horrible, and hence the engineer and conductor were both hurt pretty bad. Head injuries, broken back, leg, ribs etc etc.
The only truly safe place for them to be would be in a bunker running a drone train.
Rusty
They would have a lot better chance with a "locomotive" on both ends instead of those stupid *ss cab cars
Safety is always a priority, UNLESS it costs the RR's $$$
They would have a lot better chance with a "locomotive" on both ends instead of those stupid *ss cab cars
Safety is always a priority, UNLESS it costs the RR's $$$
I agree a big heavy locomotive may have made this accident much less severe to all on board. But where do you draw the line on cost???
This Metrolink with less than 50 riders on a train able to carry 600 this train was running at 12% capacity (?). So it was operating at a HUGE loss already. Making things safer is great.......who pays and how much is the public willing to pay?? My recent trip from Fullerton to San Diego on the Surfliner, a California subsidized rail transportation system, was $200 for the two of us (Sr rate too). We could have driven it in the Prius for around $10.......so much higher cost.....no one rides unless they have no other choice.
I applaud CA for all the rail mass transit they are implementing but there is a line between cost and product. Idiots have caused most the issues in the last 20 years of operation and we can't prevent idiots.
I guess the consensus is that the truck driver is at fault. But we have to design our world to accommodate stupidity and accidents and try to minimize the damages that occur, with cost-effective measures.
My impression is that Southern California has initiated limited commuter rail passenger services on existing freight lines with limited resources for infrastructure improvements like grade crossing separation.
On these passenger carrying lines, maybe it's time for some advanced technology that can detect whether a grade crossing is physically cleared of vehicles and obstructions and the train gets a signal accordingly - so it might get some advance indication of a need to try to stop without relying entirely on what the crew can see from the cab.
Possibly there could be a readout to motor vehicles that a train is expected in so many minutes at a grade crossing. It might make people more aware of how often to expect trains.
Old-style "level crossing" barriers in England provided complete obstruction of the railway right-of-way when opened for road traffic, so that vehicles couldn't possibly drive on the tracks. And the barriers wouldn't be able to move into the closed-to-vehicles position if a vehicle was on the grade crossing. A track signal could be linked to that for advance warning to trains.
Just brainstorming.
My impression is that Southern California has initiated limited commuter rail passenger services on existing freight lines with limited resources for infrastructure improvements like grade crossing separation.
Old-style grade crossing barriers in England provided complete obstruction of the railway right-of-way when opened for road traffic, so that vehicles couldn't possibly drive on the tracks.
Just brainstorming.
I'd give California a much better than average grade for passenger rail transportation. When I make my extened visits to So cal we ride trains whenever we can......even when there are easier and cheaper methods.
And they are spending money on grade crossings. Metrolink runs Out to Riverside and SB on the same line used by Amtrak and freight carriers UP and BNSF. I did not see a single grade crossing in Riverside that had not been closed, bridged or in the process of having a bridge built. But this line has some of the heaviest rail traffic in the world. Every intermodial train going east from So Cal is routed through here.
But like many things.......funds are not unlimited. The Oxnard crossing is in a farming area and though it has had two accidents in 10 years.....still not a high risk crossing.
High tech devices could be invented to detect issues.......but again.....funds.
A news story said that this train was just starting its run to LA. It probably would be full when it arrived in LA.
Joe
They would have a lot better chance with a "locomotive" on both ends instead of those stupid *ss cab cars
Safety is always a priority, UNLESS it costs the RR's $$$
Sometimes, even the length of boiler won't save the crew:
Rusty
Latest news reports from the hospital where the engineer is being cared for; heart stopped twice but doctors were able to re-start it as he is in ICU and is being watched by doctors.
Meanwhile, the truck driver's lawyer is all over the local media saying the driver is blameless, of course he didn't bother doing anything to warn the train or call 911. As he was walking away from the scene he did pull out his cell phone to call a member of his family.
A news story said that this train was just starting its run to LA. It probably would be full when it arrived in LA.
Joe
Correct.....Oxnard was only the 2nd stop. But you can look up ridership....and that line is pretty light ridership wise. The train in question is the first of four trip week days. No matter the time of day or which line I ride......I never have to hunt for a seat. The Riverside SB trains run more cars per train and seem to be the highest in ridership.....makes sense if you have driven Riverside to LA in rush hour!!!
Latest news reports from the hospital where the engineer is being cared for; heart stopped twice but doctors were able to re-start it as he is in ICU and is being watched by doctors.
Meanwhile, the truck driver's lawyer is all over the local media saying the driver is blameless, of course he didn't bother doing anything to warn the train or call 911. As he was walking away from the scene he did pull out his cell phone to call a member of his family.
Legally the lawyer may be correct. I don't know of a law requiring anyone not employed by the railroad to report a potential train collision hazard. Does anyone know of a law?
Of course, the driver isn't morally blameless. He turned onto the tracks. He got stuck. I don't know how long he was stuck on the tracks before the train arrived. If the train hit him a few seconds or minutes after he got stuck and he didn't have a cell phone there may have been no way for him to alert anyone before the collision.
On the other hand, if he was stuck for a longer period he should have taken action to notify someone even if he was not legally required to do so. It is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, sometimes the right thing and the legal thing are not the same.
Joe
Th authorities, the police, say his truck wasn't stuck on the track. Of course, his lawyer says he is blameless, that is what they are paid to do.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
