Why can't it just be the driver???

That is just sad. If the woman survives she should be charged with manslaughter (or at least negligent homicide). My thoughts are with the engine crew. This will probably haunt them for the rest of their lives.

I already smell a lawsuit. The article says another train stopped near the crossing may have kept her from seeing the oncoming train. The ambulance chasers will be all over that. Never mind the fact that she went around the gates...

Something similar happened to me. I stopped for an eastbound freight train at a grade crossing with crossbucks but no gates. As the last car was coming, I thought I would be "a good railfan" and wait a bit after it passed. The moment the last car cleared the crossing, the lead unit of a westbound freight on the next track roared by. Inside my car, I hadn't heard or seen that train. I was glad I waited, believe me!

That's why crossings with multiple tracks are marked as such, so that motorists are aware that there may be more than one train approaching the crossing.  Of course, only those of us with common sense understand that...

At stations with multiple tracks where there are grade crossings at the ends of platforms, NJ Transit has posted large signs warning disembarking passengers against crossing the tracks until their train has departed the station, cleared the circuit and the gates have raised, enabling them to ascertain there is no danger of opposing traffic approaching on the other track. Systemwide, there are many stations at which meets occur in accordance with the timetable and, given the fact that many trains are powered by the virtually silent ALP-46/46A electrics, trains can sneak up on you without any kind of warning at all. Nonetheless, despite these warnings, one will periodically still read about a pedestrian accident.

 

Bob