Amtrak near miss with a biker (emergency brakes applied)

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Please read: the driver didnt say *bike and a rope* he said *bike and a phone* or *bicycle* one of the two. I also misspelt San Joaquin which I spelled it as San Juaquin

[@Erich__88]

First

[@Poker2662]

I'm pretty sure he's just saying "bicycle" not "bike and phone"

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@Poker2662 maybe, my hearing isn’t the best haha

[@jaytee2642]

​@@Erich__88 First what? Is there a prize?

[@busog97641]

I understand that you can't correct the typo in the video but you *can* correct it in the description.

[@KevinSun242]

Props to that engineer for being so alert. He initiated that brake well before the guy even reached the tracks.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Ya he set it off pretty early

[@roobear78]

yeah must have seen him running and just hit it you can hear the air pop,class observation on surroundings

[@BRIANumber7-RCandModels]

Not to mention, having to stop that fast could have injured any passengers standing up making their way to the door to get off the train. Makes perfect sense why they should refuse service to him that day in that context as well, even if he didn't get hit

[@AwkwardYet]

@@BRIANumber7-RCandModelsoh trust me it jostles you pretty badly

[@BRIANumber7-RCandModels]

@@AwkwardYet Yup, I've stopped a light NW2 diesel switcher before without bailing off the locomotive brake at 10mph while coming to a stop. Even with a tiny bit of brake applied initially, it's certainly not the most comfortable kind of stop. I learned quickly after that, haha

[@queenbrightwingthe3890]

Something never changes when it comes to people crossing tracks while the train is coming.

[@TheCharr1981]

Most people will never get it. There's been train fatalities since the 1800s It's like a virus in people's brain when they hear the oncoming train bells ringing, lights flashing and or gates are down... Completely avoiding all the trains warning signs. I think people need to watch the uncensored video about what happen to this lady name Mary T Wojtyla back in 1991 when she was struck by a Metra Commuter Train. Her lawyer was inches away from getting struck by the train. But she kept going without looking. Due to their impatience.

[@stevefox898]

Deer in the headlights sort of thing.

[@awepossum1059]

Because 99 times they cross and nothing happens, and no video of it but on the 100th time you do it thats when things go wrong

[@stevefox898]

@@awepossum1059 Sooner or later we all have to pay the piper.

[@TheCharr1981]

@@awepossum1059 You shouldn't even make an attempt to cross the train track or tracks period. It's like playing Russian Roulette with your life. Especially when there's oncoming train or trains coming your way. And even when you don't see any warning train signs and all you see is the track or tracks. You still need to look both ways. Just like crossing the streets or highways...Parents need to teach their kids about railway safety.

[@IsaiahCarroll95]

Dude really messed up when you have the commuters, passengers, conductor, engineer and FOAMERS scolding you.

[@jrt2792]

A good ol fashioned scolding is needed badly in our society.

[@the_expidition427]

Take not only the cake take the cake shop

[@matthewwilson5019]

Yea no kidding lol

[@emily1]

ngl foamers at least here are at war with the staff, public and themselves

[@annapavfan4680]

@@jrt2792RIGHT😂

[@ronaryel6445]

The engineer was fully justified in banning the rider from the train.

[@BRIANumber7-RCandModels]

Agreed, not just for running in front of the train, but it's possible some passengers walking to the door to get off could have gotten hurt for having to stop that fast

[@apraew20]

He's fcked.

[@starlite2092]

The thing is is that he is an adrenilein junkie. He didnt want to ride the train but just to beat the train, and he did by stopping it.

[@5688gamble]

I mean he wouldn't have been riding it anyway unless someone opened the other side, so it really isn't a punishment!

[@kishascape]

Now he can just ride his bike there if he really wants to go that badly.

[@debtshredder4928]

Darwin Award runner up. There's no way he didn't see the train, he chose this

[@yoshster0612]

And there’s no way he didn’t hear it either

[@NickyD]

unless he had those nose headphones where you cant hear a thing with them on @@yoshster0612

[@tajothy2692]

yes he chose and would have made it easily. thats daily business in india

[@TukaihaHithlec]

⁠​⁠@@tajothy2692 People get hit by trains in India everyday, null point

[@rickdee67]

@@tajothy2692many die in India due to that type of stupidity and indifference to loss of life!

[@asellars7]

As a Conductor whose had a fatality, the average person doesn’t understand what the crew goes through when they strike someone. The biker is lucky that all what happened was denial of service.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Yes, people panic and don’t think twice

[@ManagedPan1k]

Biker wouldve rather denied his own service

[@Fireglo]

Couple bits of paperwork. Nothing major.

[@Olivers_RailAdventures]

⁠​⁠@@FiregloA couple bits of paperwork with potentially long lasting affects on the driver which could end their career.

[@Fireglo]

@@Olivers_RailAdventures Hardly. A train track is closed off to pedestrians due to high speeds and inability to stop so if a pedestrian gets hit by a train it is always the pedestrians fault as they are somewhere they shouldn't be.

[@guspaz]

The biker is indeed dumb and the engineer was right to deny service, but I have never seen a dumber station design. The train just randomly stops in what is effectively a parking lot? No raised platforms? No barriers? Yikes.

[@MrResin-xk2mf]

Oh god a European with centuries of poor design/zoning issues telling others what a liability is

[@maxim_077]

Don't expect anything from American public transportation, It's a complete joke. This country is reserved exclusively for cars.

[@CheMechanical]

One comment that I did not see here is that the reason an emergency stop for the train is so serious is that passengers on board the train can fall and get seriously injured. That is why it is a big deal even if the person on the bike was not hit. I have personally seen people fall on Metrolink and the Metro subway in Los Angeles, just during normal acceleration and deceleration, much less emergency braking.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Yes, a couple people stated that but not much, the train stopped pretty quickly. Emergency brakes are very powerful!

[@MetraUPNWproductions7202]

Yep, no locomotive should ever have emergency brakes. Because the passengers can fall and trains get delayed, the emergency horn is better so that everyone survives. And if they’re tied to the tracks. They would already be electrocuted, but use to normal brakes so the riders survive too!

[@RCAvhstape]

It also takes a while to reset before you can move the train again, which means all those passengers have to wait.

[@CrisisHedgehog]

@@MetraUPNWproductions7202 that be the stupidest opinion I’ve ever heard… Please try saying that to the 107 lost lives of the Amagaaki Derailment… That driver use the service brake, not the emergency brake intentionally. If he did, 107 lives would have been saved…

[@Freyia935]

I dont think what people dont understand either, is the possibility of people tripping and dying, they think they can just cross some tracks, but if you trip and it's coming, then youre gone, and this has happens too as comical as it sounds.

[@pacificcy3182]

Out of all the actions this dude could’ve taken, he decided running in front of the train was the best idea. I love humanity.

[@walter_248]

Don't blame humanity, blame this particular type of human

[@agentorange153]

He didn't even have enough brains to know that his organs would have been too squished for donation!

[@pattym9182]

I mean Like most commenters, I personally don't understand why he couldn't have waited till the train stopped.....but Like even if he was SOOOO desperate to cross the tracks before the train, the train was going slow enough that he could have biked to the other end of the station and just try to put as much space between himself and the train to at least minimize the chance of angering the engineers. I grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by woods, with a Class 3 railroad going through them (no train went above 15 mph, for what it's worth). My friends and my brother & I practically spent half our middle school years walking along them....and honestly because we just loved trains so much, we had several spots along the tracks that we'd just hang out and talk for the day while we just waited for some trains to go by and watch (and NO, we never drank or otherwise misbehaved). The thing is not only just having practical common sense for safety & being aware of your surroundings at all times, but just treating the railroad and engineers with the same respect we treated our neighbors with. I mean we weren't afraid of being hit by a surprise fast train....15mph was the max speed for trains, they only use MP15 engines that are abnormally loud, and we always had signal lights in our view that we learned ALWAYS started flashing yellow when a train was about 5 minutes away, and immediately would get far to the side. Back then a lot of it was mostly mediated by fear of getting caught and in trouble, but now as an intensely empathetic 31 year old with a rather decent understanding of psychology and whatnot, I can't even begin to fathom just how traumatic it must be for an engineer to have a close call, or God forbid the worst case scenario. Or imagine the trauma these bystanders would experience if he DID get hit. TL;DR - I grew up near a railroad, and my friends and I were taught all about common sense railroad safety and awareness of one's surroundings as a kid; it's kept me alive for 31 years, and don't understand how someone making a close call decision can't think about the potentially traumatic impact the engineers experience during these events either.

[@walter_248]

@@pattym9182 That's a great point

[@agentorange153]

@@pattym9182 Never mind the engineer or the bystanders -- why not just have a sense of self-preservation to begin with??? I mean, would he run in front of an 18-wheeler like that??? And if not, then why would a train be any different??? (FWIW, I live in the SF Gay Area not far from where this incident happened -- Milpitas, to be more precise -- and where I live, many bicyclists (not all by any means, but many) are total assholes with a major sense of entitlement, they literally think that they own the road and that everyone (including trucks, trains and emergency vehicles) must give them the right of way at all times!)

[@NolanLayland]

First thing I thought was "that guy is not getting on this train", then the engineer said that. Props to the crew for being on the ball.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

for sure!

[@Pieman6711]

The "Go away" made me chuckle.

[@marc-andreservant201]

That's super dangerous. Two seconds later and he could have slightly scratched the paint on the train.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Ya that idiot nearly ruined the ex f40ph!!!

[@giovanirincon6752]

This dude get karma for doing that and stupid 💀

[@TD_loves_IANR]

If it were going a lot faster than that, Amtrak might be considering their new paint scheme: "A Splash of Red"

[@h.mandelene3279]

That's exactly what happened to a UP train hitting a woman. They said the car (and driver) was crushed. The locomotive??? Some paint and replace some hydraulic hoses.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@h.mandelene3279 yup train always wins!

[@fireshorts5789]

Engineer was totally on the ball and I'm glad the crowd let him know what was up.

[@thefateofslate9095]

I’ll even take a moment to consider the urgency of the biker felt since this was the last train of the day: Bakersfield is set up in such a way where you can cross at the street once the train stops. Biker would have more than enough time to cross considering the amount of people getting on the train. Hell, since the boarding gate changed, you may even be lucky enough to get a crew member to drop one of the stairs for you. I’m sure many of them would understand the confusion it causes. But all things considered, there really is no way to justify running in front of a moving train. Any moving vehicle if we’re being honest.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

True, he could have waited for the train to stop and go around it, he had plenty of time because there were 2 freight trains blocking the mainline so he amtrak had to wait anyways

[@LachlanKellett]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 yeah considering all of that there as no way he'd miss the train and if the crossing was ahead of the loco the driver would have seen him coming and waited, no way to justify his actions

[@noahboat580]

I also dont like how easily-crossable those tracks are. I only train around the midwest, but i never seen a station where the train tracks are parallel to the ground where the passengers are standing off of. They really made it too easy for some idiot with a bike to wanna cross it last-minute. Im not even approving the person's actions, im just pointing-out how easy it is to cross the other side of the tracks

[@punchline43]

This isn't Bakersfield though, otherwise l agree with you.

[@Trainman46]

That’s what I was thinking. No reason for this other than just plain stupidity. Lack of any sense in his brain. The trains right there! Wait for it to stop and I’m sure you can figure a way to get on.

[@goldenstateaviation2861]

That is one damn good engineer dumping the brakes as soon as he saw him run towards the track

[@lmtrains]

Emergency brake was applied, 0:37 is the air dumping out of the system and you can see the emergency red beacon on the NPCU flashing which only flashes when the emergency brake is applied. (0:44)

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Oh wow I never noticed that! Thx

[@rkolsen]

That’s impressive, the engineer anticipated it.

[@RaisedLetter]

​@@rkolsen he'd be a fine engineer if he didn't

[@tgtgtgtgtgtgtg]

Thank you for breaking it down in layman’s terms!

[@Sweetw4ter]

What is the use for that red flashing light? Who exactly should this light warn?

[@jwhitman2005]

I don't know what the hell even possessed him to try to run in front of a train right like that.

[@yuenkentsang9446]

Funny enough I teached a lot of people I know with common sense. In this occasion I would say " like you couldn't wait"? "Better to be safe then sorry by being late by a few minutes"

[@floppaeditz123]

he had his phone up, so maybe he was recording?@@yuenkentsang9446

[@Heavy_weapons07]

Cyclists are a different breed

[@Rhaman68]

You don’t watch much train videos! Railfan channel recorded a man in a motorized wheelchair with a leashed dog doing the same thing!! I believe near Cincinnati. UK video showed a woman pushing a baby buggy stepping in front of an approaching train crossing with seconds to spare!

[@Jediah-s6p]

@@yuenkentsang9446what

[@TommyBNSF]

On the bright side, 0:44 is the first time I've even seen the middle red light on the NPCU do anything.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Same!

[@mikehawk2003]

It's the emergency brake light. Southern Pacific had a similar light in place and I wouldn't be surprised if they influenced Amtrak to add it.

[@ulrichskaarsgard7848]

Sounded like Chris Rock in the crowd "Really Dude".......🤣

[@kingti85]

yeah a Chris rock that get split open by a fat 15 inch missile about 43 times a day

[@blackzack304]

That’s what his ass gets… He knew better…

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

yep

[@blackzack304]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 Maybe people actually getting a harsh consequence may start cutting down on the ignorance. A big inconvenience to him for his ignorance. World has gotten crazy stupid. 😔

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

​@@blackzack304and the station agent clearly announced that the trainw would be arriving on the other track right before it arrived

[@blackzack304]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 He couldn’t have waited til it stopped though? 🤔

[@blackzack304]

Not being a jerk off. But I’m sure they would’ve waited another 10 seconds, him being that close. I mean he almost signed his own Certificate lol.

[@jaytc3218]

I saw a documentary where a train engineer said, “If you do this as a career, sooner or later, you’re going to kill someone trying to beat the train. It’s not a question of ‘if’ but a question of ‘when’.”

[@nicktynan1355]

Ran for a couple of years. Someone(drunk) hit the train; also had at least two near misses.

[@kevinwees5707]

Never never cross the train tracks when a train is coming.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

For sure!

[@owenevans5061]

Yes Agreed!

[@Sterlingu]

This shouldn't have to be said, but apparently it does

[@fireWireX4]

Nah...cross in front of a train when it's moving! Can everyone PLEASE CONTINUE TO STATE THE BLEEDING OBVIOUS!!!!!🥴😬😲😡

[@Nope991]

Why?

[@TreyBiscoe]

Good move by the engineer to decline to take the guy on the train after that bone headed move!

[@chanman4rings]

Engineer was on alert. I mean it's bad enough this dude crossed right in front of the train, but he actually SLOWED down when he crossed the track. You better be sprinting

[@ryanleitch4639]

This is exactly how the situation should've been handled.

[@BenMonares]

@@Boltzmann-eh7ufno way

[@runvnc208]

I think they should have called the cops and arrested him for endangering all of the passengers on that train.

[@mrwow1667]

@@runvnc208it wasn’t even going that damn fast

[@MervynPartin]

Excellent response by the Amtrak Engineer, both in stopping the train and banning the biker.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

yup

[@RADIZZLE4000]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 Now IF.......the biker would have waited, he would have boarded correct!? What's even the waiting time of boarding at that station? there is a ramp at the front of the platform to go around the engine correct? 🚅🚂

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@RADIZZLE4000 no ramp, but he could just walk around the train, the train boards a bit further up

[@kueller917]

So much of a summary of American intercity rail here. Platform crossing over the rails, last train of the day arriving in broad daylight, scheduling getting messed up because of UP freight, and of course someone being careless around trains. I'm glad at least the newer tech prevented a tragedy.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

I agree with you but just a heads up, they cant run any trains later than 6 pm since the journey takes 6 hours so any train later than that would be over night

[@kueller917]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 Oh yeah I figured but then taking longer than driving to get to Bakersfield is also another for the list.

[@vali20vali20vali20]

So in America trains can’t get past midnight? What kind of limitation is that, sounds insane…

[@Zooz.]

Yeah, this looks like a third world country. I can imagine a cyclist would be confused if the train just goes across the pavement like that. In the civilized world, you can only cross at crossings with lights and bells and a whole circus.

[@TypeHoeNegative]

@@Zooz. tell everyone you’ve never glimpsed out of your bubble without saying it lmao

[@raymiller1753]

I was on an Amtrak from California to Oregon when it cut a pickup truck in half. Fortunately, the driver suffered only minor injuries. It was crazy how we didn't feel any impact at all. We just started slowing down and I looked out the window and saw half a truck with a guy sitting in the driver's seat with both hands still on the wheel.

[@LastMagMan]

Me and the fam were on the California Zephyr Amtrak and we hit a MASSIVE tree trunk somewhere in Colorado. I only know because I saw it splinter and fly off out my window. Didnt feel a thing.

[@ChoobChoob]

The emergency brakes have at least a 1 minute cooldown before they can be released; and will need to be called in before the train can continue, if Amtrak has that policy.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Thanks for that info I didn’t know that! Interesting…

[@NdaKeekz]

Yep

[@MackeyBigBoy4014]

The main reservoirs need tome to recharge.

[@yankeesforlife24]

They follow GCOR they must call out an emergency over the radio

[@MrChrisRP]

Anyone with even a basic idea of math and (real applied) science can straight away understand there's an enormous amount of force necessary to bring the train to a stop, and how that all translates into heat. Right, exactly as you say. I would suspect that it might be longer, but I don't know about trains so much to know that deeply.

[@ajbonmg]

This couldn't have happened in the UK, where all stations have platforms. I'm amazed to see all those people standing at track level waiting to get on a train. 😮

[@suhandatanker]

Even the most dilapidated mainline rail stations in malaysia have platforms, i can't fathom not being able to simply raise the platform higher, making it slanted on each end for wheelchairs and overall easier acccess.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

No there is a platform behind my tripod

[@LängeLeveÄlgen]

I fully agree! The person who is crazy enough to build this should think twice!!

[@profile2047]

It’s interesting that no one could possibly run in front of a train in the UK.

[@Fireglo]

The UK has a fair few platformless crossings.

[@elijahbuscho7715]

What's the deal with the track being flush with the platform? Is this common? I suppose it's cheaper to walk across the tracks than it is to walk under/over, but it just makes dangerous stuff like this much easier to do. Especially when there's a change in the schedule. If you're on the wrong platform when the train comes due to a last minute change, you're screwed. If there was a tunnel you could at least try to run under the train to try and catch it before it leaves. Otherwise, how does one get to the other platform when the train is there? And I guess if there is actually a tunnel, why tf are the tracks flush with the platform?

[@phaniyarlagadda6168]

Amtrak driver is right.

[@timeforbeans]

WOW! What an idiot🙄 What is in his right hand, is he filming himself running in front of the train? I love how that Engineer banned him from his train. Good for him! No Idiots Allowed!

[@Gevoface]

100%

[@sixx-jo4is]

@@RailfanofChicagoandMorehell no, why would they do that for him, when he caused confusion and delay for the passengers, station agent, and the conductor

[@jaysmith1408]

@@RailfanofChicagoandMoreper Amtrak policy, “Amtrak may refuse to carry any passenger ‘who refuse to comply with safety or security rules or with instructions of Amtrak personnel’ and ‘Who pose a health, safety or security hazard to other passengers or employees’” “Amtrak employees or other authorized carrier representatives may such a passenger from the train at any inhabited place, as necessary under the circumstances, for any of the above reasons” No refund is required to be issued As well, since the San Joaquin is not reserved, his ticket (unless seized and/or canceled by Amtrak) is still valid for one year. Nothing is stopping him from taking the next train at no additional cost.

[@Bigbigpoopi]

​@@RailfanofChicagoandMorecry harder, soyboy

[@mlx39996]

@@RailfanofChicagoandMoreno refund deserved

[@TheDylanJoyce]

Thank you for uploading this to forever retain that man's shame...

[@4af]

Super alert engineer saved that bikers life.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Yup!

[@poiiihy]

They didn't do shit. That biker was well ahead of the train. Everyone making a scene over nothing.

[@respek2933]

@@poiiihy it wasnt even close, first world problems

[@thorr18BEM]

@@poiiihyyou just don't realize the train slammed on the brakes when it saw the bike approaching and the place where it stopped is not the actual position it was meant to stop at. After the end of the video it would have released the emergency brake and pulled forward for boarding.

[@BitSmythe]

0:30 ACTION STARTS HERE.

[@Lorenzmsfs24pilot]

Thanks😊

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

This station design provides no significant line of demarcation, barrier, or separation between passengers and the train. No handrails or barricades, no pedestrian overpass, no difference in elevation or raised platform, nothing but a damn yellow line. Apparently, the architect failed to take into account the abject stupidity of people, when they are distracted or in a rush. Yes, the person with the bike was, in fact, a dumbass. What was the designer's excuse?

[@Denniss7420]

So "This Sign Has Sharp Edges"??? How about PEOPLE WATCH and Look out for Themselves. I don't Want to live in a world where the government protects me from myself!!!!

[@Megasteel32]

hey you wanna know a significant warning that a train is coming? the really big train that's about to hit you.

[@dtripodi]

we didn't used to need those things

[@wolfyklip]

designer don't need a excuse ever, people could go on a track anywhere millions and thousands of tracks, some make it some get killed, that's it.

[@wj11jam78]

To the people justifying the station design: As other people have pointed out in other comment threads, situations like this don't only cause potential harm (or death) to the offending party. People on board the train can be injured by an emergency stop, and if a collision does occur, the driver can experience severe mental trauma. Trauma which is also costly to deal with. The design of this station is awful. It's third world.

[@yankeesforlife24]

People also need to realize that the engineer dumped the train at 0:37. Had he not plugged the train then he would’ve been hit bc it wouldn’t be stopping nearly as quickly

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Exactly, people say "not that close" but in reality without the emergency brake being dumped early on, that biker would have been toast

[@vincentbugalia3858]

The biker should have been fined at least 500 dollars. Bravo to the train engineer, or whoever drives it.

[@johnhoward3042]

I doubt there is anything on the books that wouldn’t be dismissed in court.

[@nickalonzo7575]

It’s a crime in California to cross the tracks in the path of a train. Penal Code 369i PC. He was likely not fined or arrested.

[@nickalonzo7575]

@@johnhoward3042 exactly. However, most people don’t know that they can use their 5th Amendment right and end up confessing (i.e. “do you know why I pulled you over?”. It’s a trick question)

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

why would someone design flat platforms at the same level like the tracks at a passenger station?

[@lalakerspro]

It's easier to cross

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

@@lalakerspro but more difficult to bord or debord the train. It has been decades since I saw the last rather flat platform, but it wasn't at ground level like this one. Would make more sense to have a pedestrian crossing, underpass or bridge

[@lalakerspro]

There is a bridge but it goes to the shopping complex instead. The flat track isnt used that often anyway. People just need to have common sense and not walk across a track when the train is coming@@EnjoyFirefighting

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

@@lalakerspro still seems to be an obvious hazard ... guess why our crossings are made idiot proof ... for the few people which lack common sense

[@lalakerspro]

Yea, they can definitely install a pedestrian crossing at that track at each end, but this is the only station on the line that people cross tracks like this, the rest have a crossing, underpass, or are single tracked@@EnjoyFirefighting

[@TheRailfanofTexas]

If you notice at 0:36 you can hear the emergency breaks get applied before the biker crossed the tracks. That is proof of how alert that engineer was!

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

very true! could have saved his life

[@mistertagnan]

I thought I heard the air getting dumped at that moment, glad to see someone else confirmed my suspicion

[@lambda6564]

But why is the station platform on ground level? I have never seen something like this here in Germany. It seems dangerous to me.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

It’s only used about 4-5 times a day, only long distance services use it and sometimes regular trains if there is another train on the other track

[@garrettmillard525]

America baby, nothing is allowed to get in the way of cars, transit riders are second class citizens. Most are ground level.

[@utahrailfan1946]

What you see isn't actually the platform, it's just a crossing. The actual platform area is just to the left of the camera view.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@utahrailfan1946 exactly

[@yankeesforlife24]

Low level platforms are normal in the us. Most stations can’t justify hi level platform and the equipment is all low level or has steps

[@Craiggg12345]

Imagine being an adult and not knowing how to cross 😂

[@PhotographyAntenna-uo6il6770]

1:03 [Amtrak driver]: You are not getting on this train! Go Away!

[@napili5470]

I work this route from Roseville Ca. to Bakersfield and it is the worst for pedestrians and cars going through the gates trying to beat the train.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

The central valley is crazy!

[@treeriders]

Why aren't there raised platforms?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@treeriders welcome to America!

[@izil1fe]

0:38 For this minimum mandatory punishment should be: 1 year in jail (no less) and coverage of COMPLETE cost of the stoppage of the train, delay time, material wear.. all of it. Then they (he) will learn.

[@marshallb5210]

calm down hitler

[@LadyLithias]

When I was a missionary in a very rural area of Texas, there were some railroad crossings that merely had a RR Crossing side, and nothing else. No lights, no gates, not even the train blowing a horn. I learned my lesson to pay attention when I was driving across that crossing at night, and saw my companion was brightly illuminated. Looked the other way, saw the front end of the train. Seemed to be only a few feet away. We made it across, but only through sheer luck. Another time (much later in life) I was teaching my stepdaughter how to drive. We were almost done for the day, and we were approaching a traffic light. About twenty or thirty feet prior to the traffic light was a set of railroad tracks. The cars ahead of us came to a halt, and it just didn't occur to me that my stepdaughter wouldn't understand or have the situational awareness to realize that in this sort of situation, you don't stop ON the tracks at a red light. By the time I realized what she was doing, we were already on the tracks. Light still red. And then the gates came down. I think at the time I was not as calm as necessary, but I told her to honk so that ther person in front of her would move forward so she could get off the tracks. Pretty sure she was traumatized for life.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Very interesting stories! About the red light situation, many streetlights that are 20-30 feet in front of tracks now turn green automatically when gates go down so situations like what happened to you and your daughter don’t happen

[@LadyLithias]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 This would have been in 2003 or 2004 I think. I think the lights did turn green before it became critical, but it never occurred to me that it was a design of the system. Certainly was a difficult moment for mother and daughter.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@LadyLithias interesting story

[@tom11zz884]

People never cease to amaze me with their stupidity.

[@PiotrBarcz]

Same

[@avreve]

why is the track the same level as the platform with nothing but a yellow lime to stop people? the only time that happens is with trams in rare cases

[@captainminecraft631]

Either side of the station has walkways to the other platform, and yet, this guy didn’t use any of them, he just cut in front of the train.

[@untitledpnk]

Is it common to have train stations/stops without a raised platform in the USA? First time i've seen this.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

I don’t really know, but I’m pretty sure it’s rare

[@chris52209]

depends on the area the station is in usually they're raised up a bit

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@chris52209 the platform at this station is raised. The train doesn’t stop on the grade path you see you see in the video. The actual platform is not visible in the video

[@interstellarphred]

On the East coast, cyclists stop trains by having rail trails built

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

lol

[@5688gamble]

I thought that was more when they were ripped up because they cannot compete with car addicts and cyclists get flung a tiny shard of a bone as we all lose out on good infrastructure in the long run!

[@interstellarphred]

@@5688gamble That is in theory; in practice, political strings pulled result in closure, and potential transit corridors are converted into linear parks much to the delight of the NIMBYs ; and the highway lobby.

[@PiotrBarcz]

Do you live near the Saranac Lake area? They recently tore up a beautiful rail line and made it into a trail. What a shame because that was a good stretch of railroad that I'm sure would be useful to get around the north country.

[@Vevxo]

Chris Rock waiting for the Amtrak is something I did not expect

[@Lemon-zw7cb]

that man couldve became a beef patty instantly

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

on my grill

[@Bull3tBikes]

That’s what the cow catchers for

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@Bull3tBikes 💀

[@Lemon-zw7cb]

@@Bull3tBikes cow catcher doesnt always catch everything underneath

[@MrPiegon]

beef patty with mozzerella cheese

[@vlovbg]

How was this train going to Bakersfield when it was headed north to Sacramento???

[@42luke93]

What was he in a rush for he could’ve just entered from the other side

[@utahrailfan1946]

No he couldn't, platform is only on one side. He has to cross, but he also could have waited for the train to pass before crossing.

[@42luke93]

@@utahrailfan1946 They should make it on both sides to prevent this motive from occurring again. Thanks for the information. The fool had a bike too, and he could’ve just went around the train now that I think of it once it stopped.

[@utahrailfan1946]

@@42luke93 There's no realistic way to do that. They could add a third passenger track, for the other side of the platform he's standing on, but that would still cut across this area. Expanding the current platform to fill the gap is far from realistic.

[@RailVisionaries]

@@utahrailfan1946 but I believe he was planning to hop on the train so

[@ravenfieldguy3323]

are train platforms on level with the tracks just like that in the US?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

its a pretty unique station

[@HansCent]

he almost won a Darwin Award, 2nd prize though is not getting on the train ... and probably a Darwin Award later on his life.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

lol!

[@MultiPurposeReviewer]

Props to the engineer for making it clear that guy would not be allowed on the train. When I was in high school, most students would take city buses to get home. A lot of us had to change buses at a particular stop that was on the other side of the street. If a connecting bus was in sight, a lot of students (the impatient ones) would run across the street in the middle of traffic to catch the first bus. Usually it was big groups who did this, but sometimes it was just a few people. I witnessed one occasion where a single guy ran across traffic to try and make his bus. After my friends and I waited for the light and reached the bus stop, we saw there was a bicycle cop at the stop, and he had seen the whole thing. As we walked by, we heard the cop tell the student in no uncertain terms that he was not getting on the bus. And as we left them behind, the bus left without him. It was beautiful.

[@drixxonk]

Biker things he'll make it. It'll be close but he'll make it. He honestly has no idea how batshit scared the crew is because of his actions. They don't know if he's going to make it, and now their heart is in their throat.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Ya, the emergency brakes saved him

[@Username-e5l]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023nah he had time he could’ve made it the train operator is exaggerating it

[@peter_bekesi]

Does someone understand what is being said in the loudspeaker while he is crossing the rails?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Everybody except that crazy!

[@markifi]

"train [...] seven one [...] will be arriving at 6:50 pm" what was said before that is impossible to make out because of all the yapping

[@nickjeffrey8050]

The train was never goin to hit him anyway This is just pure ballshit 🤣

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@nickjeffrey8050 I can argue against that but sure

[@senoner90]

The tracks are those of a tram, but it's a train? I'm confused

[@9tiesNostalgia]

Well this is like the most stupidest thing ever. If u are so strict with laws then at least build an overhead pedestrian bridge for the late arrivers and a fence to guard either side of the tracks. This is probably the most irresponsibly built and dangerous train halt in the entire world.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Very true!

[@agentorange153]

OMG, I myself saw almost the exact same thing happen in almost the exact same place -- I was taking the Coast Starlight back from Salem last fall, and we were crawling along between Emeryville and Jack London Square when suddenly we had an emergency stop because some idiot drove across the tracks right in front of us! (Fortunately we stopped in time and didn't hit him, so we weren't badly delayed!) In downtown Oakland, this must be happening ALL the time!

[@Keaton0801]

Is no one going to talk about the rare F40PH in the latest Amtrak colors? I didn’t even know Amtrak had any left, other than the cascades possibly. Let alone painted in the latest Amtrak colors.

[@eastbaykidd8574]

That's actually a "Cabbage Car" or combination cab control and baggage car, converted from a retired F40PH. Spotting features would be the baggage door on the sides as well as the 5 digit road number (Amtrak adds a "90" before the old road number for cabbage cars), as well as the total lack of engine noise.

[@aleczavala5010]

Did the train end up going to Bakersfield eventually?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Yeah they got delayed 10 minutes

[@chuckgehring9277]

Wasn't even close someone wanted three days off paid

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

I wonder why everybody says that, the train was very close

[@mistertagnan]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023humans in general are *really* bad at judging distance and velocity. It’s why many of these accidents occur in the first place

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@mistertagnan yes

[@DinoGaming_Edits]

Okay, but what happens when that same cyclist thinks that he can do it again, then again? What if he starts to get a little too used to it or cocky and eventually leads to him running out of luck? These train crews literally sit in the cabin helplessly with their heart rate soaring, not knowing if they applied the brakes in time and did everything to avoid hitting the crosser.

[@johnmarston2595]

i dont care how dumb i am, youll NEVER catch me trying to cross a track with a literal train approaching

[@jamalgivens9373]

Props to the engineer for not allowing the dude to board the train. Even everyone was calling out his bonehead move. Should've got to the train station a little earlier.

[@agentorange153]

Or waited for the train to stop before crossing the tracks!

[@catlady8324]

What are FOAMERS?

[@roachtoasties]

From your comments it sounds like you're not blaming the bicyclist. He could have easily walked around the train after it stopped.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

It was his fault, but Amtrak needs to make more clear that trains will go on track 1

[@greenmanofkent]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 How much clearer could it have been? Everyone else waiting to board was at that platform. Besides, has he never heard of "Stop, look and listen"? He did none of those; it doesn't matter what track the train was or was not on.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@greenmanofkent maybe amtrak should do more than just 1 announcement 5 minutes before the train arrives for last minute passengers right?

[@yoshster0612]

I mean those train bells are very clear to me. If you hear those bells and you see a track, maybe you shouldn’t cross

[@gnnascarfan2410]

There were like 30 other people waiting on Track 1, so clearly this isn't an Amtrak problem about "making it more clear that trains go to Track 1" @@NorCaliRailroading2023

[@alextgordon]

Why is this station at grade?

[@AE1OU]

I recently saw what an oncoming train does to cows, deers and horses that got on the track hence why I got recommended this video and it would definitely not been a pretty sight if it werent for the engineer pulling the emergency brake last second.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Yes, it could have been different if the brakes weren't dumped

[@noosphericaltarzan]

About ten years ago, I saw a woman almost die by train in front of the Roselle station of Chicago's Metra system. You have to cross the tracks from the parking lot to get to the train station. An express train was passing by the station (not stopping) and cruising at what I am guessing is about 60-70 mph. I guess she figured the train was just going to be slowing down and coming to a stop and just proceeded to race out in front of it (because if you aren't on the other side of the tracks when your train gets there, you aren't getting onboard). I was standing there next to the tracks as she crossed and I watched as the train came within maybe two feet of her body. She barely crossed tracks. I don't know if she realized or not. I didn't look for her after that. Now I live in ding dong North Carolina and ALL the locals park on railroad tracks. There's literally a sign there saying don't do that, and coal trains are passing by most days, but they don't seem to process what these railroad tracks are for. Americans think very highly of themselves and they park on railroad tracks.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

I don’t even understand what goes on in their heads!

[@ryanridder4576]

I don’t blame the engineer, that guy with the bike is not coming on the train, lol!

[@TheCoolStuffHD]

How humiliating, welldeserved though.

[@makingbreadnotcrumbs]

What did the conductor say at first on the pa?

[@mizzwitty1042]

This "platform" or "station" is ridiculously dangerous! It forces people to cross the tracks! Except you can enter the train on two sides!? - which I do not assume! The train was driving slowly already and should have stopped in approx. 30 meters. So what is the fuss about? People are not using their senses and brain, that is why it is important to build everything idiotproof! Here it is not!

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

It is a poorly built station for sure

[@timosha21]

Fantastic train video! I'm a tram and I approve this video! Ding ding!!!

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Thank you very much!

[@BurninSeagul]

Well at least he’s got a bike to fall back on 😂

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

haha true

[@pineappleroad]

I will admit i have crossed in front of a (stationary) train before (that wasn’t even at a platform) It was at a road crossing where the warning system had just shut off after a train had passed in the other direction (the crossing wasn’t malfunctioning, it was designed to do that, the crossing equipment has control of the signals just before it, and only lets one train pass in each activation cycle) And i have also seen someone dart across one of those crossings after the road lights sequence had started (those trains have an unusual feature where there is a double seat directly next to the drivers cab, so passengers can see out the front), the train hadn’t yet departed from the platform when it happened, but the driver gave a blast of the horn to tell them off)

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Yeah people are crazy

[@GuessWho932]

How was that a near miss? Biker had so much room and time

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@GuessWho932 lol keep coping lil bro

[@GuessWho932]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 did you mean copping? Lol

[@GuessWho932]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 or capping?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@GuessWho932 this kid doesn’t even know what coping means 💀

[@GuessWho932]

@@NorCaliRailroading2023 I do, but I think you used it wrong lol

[@SteamSagaLore]

what day and what train was this?

[@voidjavelin23]

Some amtrak california "san juaquins"

[@fbgmroadrunner456]

Everyone knocking this guy has never had to catch a train in LA. The video even explained this wasnt the normal track, that guy on the bicycle was rushing to get on the train that wasnt arriving on the set of tracks it was supposed to, i see people miss them every week because of last minute track switches.

[@fbgmroadrunner456]

Train was going 15 miles per hour tops. Not saying it wasnt rude to the amtrak but everyone acting like he almost died is being dramatic. He jaywalked at a train stop.

[@grant5864]

Can he not just walk around the train after it stops?

[@fbgmroadrunner456]

​@@grant5864 it depends on the train and how long it actually is, I've seen plenty of people cut in front of the west coast Amtrak just as close and they blow their horn but I've never seen someone banned from getting on board. Conductor was definitely having a bad day or just new and didn't realize how slow the train was actually moving. Again I'm not saying the guy on foot was in the right but this kind of reaction is definitely over the top.

[@fbgmroadrunner456]

​@@grant5864you also don't get your ticket checked when boarding most of the time, everyone climbs on board and takes a seat and the train begins moving, then they check tickets once you are seated to save boarding time. If they shut the doors and you weren't in that line to board it's normally "too bad, so sad, you don't get to go to work for another hour now" unless the conductor is in a good mood.

[@eamonnca1]

Any harm in asking why there’s no platform?

[@josephbennett3482]

Less of a risk for a passenger falling of onto the track and not being able to move in time when a train is approaching.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

There is a platform behind where my tripod is, the reason why the track runs over the platform is so people can walk to track 2

[@kristinajendesen7111]

Blimey! That's fast for a railway line without platforms. I know trams run fast in the street but you don't expect to see a train doing it on a level surface. Props to the driver from an ex main line passenger train driver 👏👏👏

[@agentorange153]

Downtown Oakland must be a SCARY place to drive a train!

[@oceanthresher6184]

Would the doors have opened on both sides anyway?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@oceanthresher6184 no but he could walk around when the train stops

[@lennysvideoz]

Whos that dude giving unnecessary commentary in the background 😭😭😭

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Another railfan

[@mike04574]

Smh

[@Evokyr]

Lol all the talking, especially at the end, sounded just like GTA NPC's talking

[@Bassotronics]

The train stopped pretty fast.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Ya, it must have thrown people around inside

[@SanBernadinoSub_Railfan]

What station was this at?

[@Kenpachi956]

Didn't seem like he was going to hit him in the first place

[@PiotrBarcz]

Haha, you'd be surprised.

[@framekixrr]

I have never understood why people will go "hmm yes a moving train I run in front of this now"

[@davidimhoff2118]

You could tell when the person came into frame that they weren’t stopping. Plus they slowed down when they got on the track. They had no understanding for train safety. People do these things all the time and it was smart for conductor to get on the speaker or whomever and say “you are not getting on”. There should also be a criminal charge. It’s important for them to show that you do something beyond stupid and there are repercussions. Ultimately it’s to protect them to make sure they don’t ever do it again.

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

No matter what happens, idiots will always do stupid things

[@owenevans5061]

@davidimhoff2118 Yes and you could get a Warning for doing that too !!

[@kamranbaig6305]

What city is this please?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Emeryville California

[@poiiihy]

He was getting across just fine why did they stop the train and why is everyone freaking out?!

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@poiiihy the real question here is are you blind?

[@nighthaste9763]

People just want something to be mad about

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

@@nighthaste9763 I guess

[@dailodai9586]

what's a foamers?

[@allegro446]

Okay while what he did was stupid Why the fuck is the station designed like that? Whats a yellow line going to do? Thats just several lawsuits just waiting to happen!