This is what I have been saying from the beginning of this tragic incident.
IT WAS NOT, AND NEVER WAS, THE FAULT OF UNION PACIFIC!!
When all is said and done, it is STILL the responsibility of a driver to
STOP!,
LOOK! And
LISTEN! PERIOD! It was obvious to me from the get-go that had the driver of the float fully understood that railroad tracks can become "live" at any moment, "escort" notwithstanding, this tragic loss of life would have not occurred! Often the public automatically ASS-umes that such an incident is the fault of the big, mean old railroad. They are always the villain!
The authorities have rightly seen that where fault lies, and its durn high time, too! I mourn any loss of life, and Lord knows, I've seen plenty of things from the cab of an engine, I get truly fed UP with people wanting to sue the railroad every time they do something stupid! Their eyes light UP with $$$$ signs while they go after UP, NS, CSX---whoever---when it is THEY that cause the accident!!!!!! It AIN'T US, folks!!! You need to look in the mirror for a change!!!
GF
retired NS