In the late 80's a commercial about Chevrolet trucks was filmed. it showed a railroad crew with a Chevy Hi-rail truck and an approaching train, at which time the Hi-rail cleared up just in time to prevent a collision. A real railroader would know that such a situation was nigh impossible (IOW, a train that "sneaks up" on a work crew), and violated several FRA rules. First of all, that crew foreman would have had what's called a "line-up" (in the old days of train order operation) and a time table schedule of all trains on the division/track he worked. A work crew was to be in the clear at least 5 minutes of the train's time of sked'ed arrival. A train also must not leave a scheduled station prior to its timetable schedule, AND he would also normally have a "slow order" train order that required him (the engineer) to contact the gang foreman prior to arrival at a designated milepost and 'Do Not Pass This Point (milepost #) until radio contact with MoW foreman Jones(insert real name), and the Way is Clear", Over". All, of course, designed to prevent such an occurrance.
The commercial was designed to sell Chevy trucks and their abilities (such as moving quickly out of the way, etc.) However, it put the railroads in a bad light and made us look as if we did business in an unsafe manner, when, in fact, such an event rarely happened. And if it did, it was because someone violated the strict Operating Rules. Railroads AND their ticked-off employees alike contacted the networks, Chevrolet, and complained. The commercial was quickly taken off the air!
