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  • Wake up call

  • Discussion related to BNSF operations. Official site: BNSF.COM
Discussion related to BNSF operations. Official site: BNSF.COM

Moderator: Komachi

 #427009  by MetraBNSF
 
Note: Also posted on the Metra board.

Hope this serves as a wake up call, as I didn't blink when I picked up the phone...

I witnessed a group of 5 or 6 people (one of which was a baby being pushed in a stroller) dart across the tracks at Belmont Rd. in Downers Grove while the gates were down and an eastbound freight was approaching. The engineer of the freight was blowing the horn when he saw the group cross the tracks and there was about a 5 second gap from the time the group started crossing to the time the freight reached Belmont Rd. The engineer of the freight gave a long hard look at the group when his train reached the intersection. Minutes later the group boards the eastbound Metra. I immedietely called BNSF and reported this, due to the fact that one of the adults was pushing a stroller with a baby. Two things entered my mind as this incident occured. I was going to film the incident as it happened, but couldn't since I was on the phone with BNSF. The other was to board the eastbound Metra and report this to a crew member, but couldn't since I wasn't in position. However, the BNSF employee was appreciative that I reported this. I hope to never see an incident like this ever happen again.
 #427400  by Will_S
 
There is video out there from the early days of metra that I've seen on "world's most shocking videos" or whatnot at 1 AM that shows a group ruch across a walkway. At the last second two people try to dart across and one gets hit by an F unit moving at track speed. Unfortunately it will take more incidents like that before people begin to respect railroad crossings and their warning apparatus.

 #427452  by MetraBNSF
 
That video is also on the "Faces of Death" series. It was filmed in 1991 by a railfan that wanted to catch the BN E units during their final runs. That particular incident also took place in Downers Grove, IL, but in the east part of town.