Following Anniversary Engine #145

[Seaboard92]

It was on the Greenbriar train. Last time I was in Ivy City it was sitting back towards the shop building. Out of view from the main line. It could have moved to the grove though.

 

[cpotisch]

It was the incident that involved congress being on a train to Greenbriar. 

Thanks. How could I forget the accident and associated thread which led to these glorious ideas for preventing grade grossing incidents!

For a VIP charter train like this, would it make any sense to run an separate engine a mile or two ahead to make sure the track is clear? With the separate lead engine having special signage to let people know the main train was following. Like “You will die if you don’t wait!”.

Just trying to think outside the box a little. I know Amtrak doesn’t have enough engines to do this on all trains, but for special circumstances it might make sense.

Another idea which could work on all the trains. Run a drone ahead of the train to see if the crossing is clear. A drone with a loud horn that could hover over the crossing if it looks like somebody is going to do something stupid.

The drones should be relatively cheap. Infrared for night time work may add to the cost, though.

SWB would have to increase for whoever is piloting the drones, whether from the cab or central office. Should be an offset by reduction in expense for crashed engines and passenger cars. Plus lives saved.

 

[Thirdrail7]

I'm sure the lawyers have a hold on it.

 

[dgvrengineer]

Truck driver in that incident was just in court on manslaughter charges.  He was found Not Guilty.  Maybe this will be the end of the legal stuff and the equipment can be released for service.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Truck driver in that incident was just in court on manslaughter charges.  He was found Not Guilty.  Maybe this will be the end of the legal stuff and the equipment can be released for service.

Not likely.  This is just one round out of many. A brief fair use quote will show the ugly truth:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/truck-driver-found-not-guilty-in-crash-with-chartered-train/2019/02/28/eb8e55b4-3b5f-11e9-b10b-f05a22e75865_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.91a5c343a88f

Naylor and his lawyer declined to comment to the newspaper. He’s named in two lawsuits filed by train passengers.

The passengers will still have their day in court, so the equipment (evidence) must be preserved.

 

[KnightRail]

145 moved today on train #851

 

[Acela150]

145 moved today on train #851

Well that’s good news. Hopefully it makes it way to the Pennsylvanian soon. We’re tired of seeing the same old paint job everyday.

 

[Acela150]

Reported leading the LSL in fresh Phase III paint tonight.