About Us

Greg Reid · 02-23-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Juarez was struck by the train's third-rail shoe, a protruding part that draws electric current from a third rail to the train's onboard motors. "He is lucky that all he had was his leg amputated," an unnamed law-enforcement official said. "If he had been touching another piece of metal when he was hit by the shoe, he would have burst into flames because of all the electricity."

The shoe is a very dangerous part of this job. Not so much getting hit by one while it's attached to the train or being electricuted instantly if you were to come into contact with one.... but the most troubling fact of the matter is that the shoes break off all the time. When a 5 pound piece of steel a half inch thick flies by you at knee high and 65 mph...It makes you think about some things.

Cobrabill · 02-23-2010, 01:42 PM

What do you call a train crew memeber that steps on a live"third rail"?

Conductor.

Greg Reid · 02-23-2010, 01:45 PM

I got a feeling I'm going to be sorry but....What?

Edit.. Ok...I didn't see the punch line.

Cobrabill · 02-23-2010, 03:01 PM

I was hoping to get pictures on my last trip but both legs were at night.If you become a dumbsh!t and find yourself in the middle of a trestle and a train is coming,after you panic,do the following:Lay down on the ballast as far away as possible from the rails.Or as close as possible to the shoulder of the bridge side/structure(same thing).And lay as flat as possible.There will be plenty of room and you will not be hit.I'll try to get pics next trip.
One more thing,as your are crapping your pants(or after)please raise your arm and give us a "thumbs up" so we know you are o.k. and it will be worth the walk(usually 1.5 miles) back there to beat your head in.Thanks.

Cobrabill · 03-02-2010, 05:13 PM

PHILADELPHIA — The Northeast Corridor faced more than two hours of closure today after an Acela train struck and killed two teenage girls who were on the tracks near Philadelphia, the Wall Street Journal has reported. The incident occurred around 10:30 this morning.

Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said all main tracks reopened around 1 p.m. and service returned to normal.

Acela trains travel close to 150 MPH.

hurryinhoosier62 · 03-02-2010, 05:42 PM

I think one word covers this one,Bill....SPLAT!!!

Cobrabill · 03-02-2010, 05:51 PM

ANd the third girl ahd a front row seat for that.

Cobrabill · 03-03-2010, 12:10 AM

Looks like no room-right?Look at either side of the bridge.You'll see what looks like a cement curb.If you were on a bridge ands couldn't get off in time,all you'd have to do would be to lay down with your shoulder as close as possible to the "curb".There is plenty of room and the train wouldn't even come close.

Yesterday going to Yuma.Speed:65MPH.Made for an interesting ride.

cuz68 · 03-03-2010, 02:15 AM

We lost all of our trains about 7-years ago, Eliz and JC are in a battle over the tracks, Ez wonts to make a walking trail out of the tracks,Jc wants to get one back on the tracks, They run in Jc.

Alvin · 03-03-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Looks like no room-right?Look at either side of the bridge.You'll see what looks like a cement curb.If you were on a bridge ands couldn't get off in time,all you'd have to do would be to lay down with your shoulder as close as possible to the "curb".There is plenty of room and the train wouldn't even come close.

Yesterday going to Yuma.Speed:65MPH.Made for an interesting ride.

GR8 Pics Bill. Thanks for sharing your "from the drivers' (conductors') seat" pics. Image not uncommon to "run across" a few deer, cows, et al in 'da fog!?

OHC6-Man · 04-29-2010, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Looks like no room-right?Look at either side of the bridge.You'll see what looks like a cement curb.If you were on a bridge ands couldn't get off in time,all you'd have to do would be to lay down with your shoulder as close as possible to the "curb".There is plenty of room and the train wouldn't even come close.

That bridge is what, a good ~20ft high or so? Even if I didn't think to lay down, I'd rather test my luck jumping off the bridge than trying to outrun a train.

Cobrabill · 03-03-2010, 12:59 PM

Not in this part of the desert.

Alvin · 03-04-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Not in this part of the desert.

Ahh, yes. More like tumbleweeds and jackrabbits?

71 T/A · 03-04-2010, 03:24 PM

The deceptive thing about trains is judging their speed. From afar, they can look like they're not moving too quickly. Then people try to outrun them and it's too late.