Posted on 09/12/2008 4:48:21 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
Metro Link train in flames...dozens of ambulances en-route to the scene...
What a horrific wreck. I ride an identical Bombardier-made high-speed commuter train every day, to and from work. I can only imagine how terrifying such a wreck would be and how tragic the results with all the people packed inside the train cars. While I hope that the fatality count remains low, I can’t see how it can by anything other than a miracle.
This is so sad. A friend of mine gets off that train at Burbank every night. I've taken it to the fair every year.
Sorry to but in, but it was mentioned that this commuter train drops off at Moorpark, the last stop. Others may go further, I just don’t know.
Your and my thoughts are running along the same lines. One guy mentioned that he always stays in the back car, with his head up against the wall in the front of the car.
I might pick a middle car for that. These trains get rear-ended sometimes too. Still the speed difference would be less from behind.
Good luck to you. I’m glad I don’t have to ride these commuter trains.
Good map, D1.
When folks said it happened right next to their backyards, they weren’t kidding.
We're heading down to LA tomorrow to donate blood. Hope lots of people do. They've mentioned it several times on KTLA.
I usually ride in the third car, furthest from the engine. But in the morning, the third car is the lead car as the engine is rolling backwards, pushing the train instead of pulling it. After seeing this wreck, I'll probably start riding in the middle car as it looks to be safer.
The commuter rail here in Salt Lake City opened in June and we were all surprised to see that it has only one track. There are several sidings along the way and you often have to pull over and wait for an oncoming train to pass before you can get back on the track and continue. It has always made me nervous that one bad switch or one miscommunication and both commuter trains would hit each other head-on at 70mph. I don't know if this is a normal configuration for commuter rail. The only thing I have to compare it to is the Metro in Washington, DC and it doesn't share tracks with trains running the opposite direction. One good thing we have though is that we don't share the track with the freight trains and in the areas where we cross most of the freight tracks, we're moving pretty slow - often with the horn blowing loudly.
My heart goes out to the victims of this wreck and their families. I also sympathize with the commuter train riders in L.A. who have to get on the train again Monday morning, despite this tragedy.
this train stops in Moorpark. later trains go all the way to Montalvo. Santa Barbara didnt want to join (pay) for Metolink so the trains dont go there....but Amtrak Surfliners do.
The UP freight train was the Leesdale Local....it originated in Gemco Yard in Van Nuys probably around noon, went to Oxnard yard to drop off cars, then was returning to Van Nuys with the loads it picked up. Those blue barrels were full of Oxnard strawberries.
The Metrolink train is usually full of government employees, and students.....as the governments pay for the train tickets as part of AQMD ride share laws, etc.
I just learned more from you than from the radio or TV. Thanks. So Sad. Wonder if your Bob is the same Bob mentioned upthread. Glad he at least survived.
I am forbidden from donating blood in the USA for life. Why? Because I lived in Europe for a number of years in the 80s. The thought is that I was exposed to England's Mad Cow, even though I never went to England and did not eat beef nor was I exposed to any English cows. Kind of ridiculous. Apparently if I'd been in the service on a base in Germany only for a number of months I'd also be banned from donating.
Prayers. Don’t know what else to say.
Boots
Most of the Red Cross LA blood comes from the Midwest now....
The “Bob” who conducts this train has white hair and looks to be around fifty to fifty-five.
Thank you Ben for pinging me.
Just registered here, this is to simply post comments:
No krylon, no seatbelts, not that it would’ve mattered much to the first car. So sad. I’m dying to know how this happened. I always think it’s nuts not to have seatbelts in these trains AND children’s school buses. Penny wise and pound foolish.
My prayers to everyone involved.
Looks like I was thinking of the bend on the opposite side of Topanga- close enough, unless it’s in your back yard. Probably can’t see that portion of the tracks from Topanga or the 118 since Stony Point Park is in the way.
There are a lot of very good reasons why trains, buses, to include school buses do not have seat belts. Number one on my list is the high risk of spinal cord injuries, that result from just a belt. Expense, risk of law suits, making a driver responsible for someone else wearing a belt and wearing it properly, and there is more.
Even full belts with across-the-shoulder/torso? Hmmm, never heard of those other factors against belts on school buses, etc. Thanks for shedding some light.
I have seen additional speculations that the Metrolink engineer may not have been able to see a signal because of the position of the sun lowering on the horizon. Unless the sun sets in the north, that is not the answer.
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