The love that led a couple to stand in front of a train

Otto Vondrak wrote:People get flattened by trains every day. Not sure what that has to do with railroading, but you folks seem to enjoy it, so have at it!

-otto-

I would say its more of "people get flattened by ANYTHING everyday". Yeah it's sad that someone who chose this method that affect the person who operated the machine, as well as co-worker, such as conductor or the passengers such as riders in the city bus...

Otto Vondrak wrote:People get flattened by trains every day. Not sure what that has to do with railroading, but you folks seem to enjoy it, so have at it!

-otto-

I'm amazed and a bit disappointed that such a statement would be made on here, of all places. Much has been written of the "other" victims in cases like this - the crew and other employees who have to deal with the tragedy and its emotional aftereffects. "Railroading" is way more than the colors painted on a diesel going by, or a berm of earth that 80 years ago used to be the Podunk Branch of the Commuter Central.

I think most of the folks on these pages have at least a reasonable respect for the guys and women who draw a railroad paycheck. Indeed, I know of more than one die-hard railfan who realized the dream of getting hired, only to find out that actual "railroading" was not for them for one reason or another. Certainly one of the negative parts is dealing with incidents like this.

In addition to the couple, this incident obviously affected the crew involved. As mentioned, various reports and inspections had to be made so mechanical, signal and track people were involved. Would you suggest the work of a car inspector or a Trainmaster is not part of railroading? The train certainly sat there for several hours afterward, causing backups which were up to the dispatcher to deal with. Is being a train dispatcher not railroading? And after it was all over, there are volumes of FRA reports, legal documents, inspection and claim files, and an incredible amount of paperwork and record keeping. It may not be the first thing that pops into someone's mind but I can assure you even that, too, is a part of "railroading".

Nobody here is being disrespectful to the deceased or anyone else. It's been an on-topic exchange of views and opinions. And I think it has been rooted in a genuine concern for all involved.

We all are interested in different facets of the railroad. Operations may not be everyone's cup of tea. But Otto, I'd suggest you try to arrange a day or two signing a release and riding along with a crew on a few different railroads. Talk to those people about the realities they deal with. The bad as well as the good. Ask them what it's like to hit a car at a crossing, or have some other tragedy happen. And ask them if that stuff is part of "railroading". You'll find the shadow of that stuff is always there with you, and unfortunately it's the very essence of railroading.

It ain't all glory.

BR&P wrote:We all are interested in different facets of the railroad. Operations may not be everyone's cup of tea. But Otto, I'd suggest you try to arrange a day or two signing a release and riding along with a crew on a few different railroads. Talk to those people about the realities they deal with. The bad as well as the good. Ask them what it's like to hit a car at a crossing, or have some other tragedy happen. And ask them if that stuff is part of "railroading". You'll find the shadow of that stuff is always there with you, and unfortunately it's the very essence of railroading.

Been there, done that. Ridden along on your own railroad, on CSX, and more cab rides on Metro-North than I care to count. Heck, not proud to mention this, but been involved in a couple of incidents (one hitting a car at a crossing, one killing a trespasser on the rails). I understand the issues that are important to you. No disrespect intended! We have a disagreement, but I am in the minority, so please carry on.

-otto-

Otto Vondrak wrote:Been there, done that. Been on your railroad, on CSX, and more cab rides on Metro-North than I care to count. Heck, not proud to mention this, but been involved in a couple of incidents (one hitting a car at a crossing, one killing a trespasser on the rails). No disrespect intended! We have a disagreement, but I am in the minority, so please carry on.-otto-

This site has crap for smilies. On another (non-railroad) forum I frequent, they have one of 2 smiley figures clinking mugs of beer together in a toast. It would come in good here - in other words "we disagree but I'm OK with that." No hard feelings, we're good.

BR&P wrote:This site has crap for smilies.

NOW we agree on something.

-otto-

nessman wrote:From the Syracuse Post-Standard. Husband brings mentally disabled wife (brain aneurysm) to a grade crossing in Verona, NY (Oneida County - near Turning Stone Casino) to await their fate. Police ruled it a murder-suicide. A little surprised the paper is romanticizing something so terrible.

My first thoughts were with the train crew. This sort of thing has to be traumatic for them. I hope they're doing OK.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/ ... train.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Romancing murder suicide is typical of today's press. The so called journalists today aren't Bernstein and Woodward. I'm surprised, since it's a murder suicide that some journalist didn't write about making TRAINS illegal. Of course, some moron in DC will call for it. (OK I'll get off the subject of politicians who are idiots.)