CLOSE CALLS with Trains

[@paulkoza8652]

Thnks, Charlie, for a great presentation. I live in Ashland, VA, on the CSX main between Richmond and DC. Two stories. A college student thought that she could grab on to a passing freight. The speed limit though town is 35 MPH. Her arm was pulled out of the socket on this attempt. A man thought he could crawl under a stopped freight to get from one side of town to the other. The train started moving and severed both of his legs. Luckily, he lived to tell about it. With respect to vehicles, it is a standing joke about how many vehicles cross the main highway in town and turn directly onto the tracks. I've lived here only 4 years and this has happened at least half a dozen times. The town has 3 Virtual Railfan cameras and they capture just about every one of them. My first job after college was with MoPac. I had to go through rail safety training in Ft.Worth. The instructor said that the safety rule book was one written in blood. He wasn't kidding.

[@iamme453]

One thing I really appreciate about you is that you stress safety around trains. In addition, you go beyond what most rail fanners do with your comprehensive explanations about what is going on in your videos, without stretching them to the point of boredom as some that I've seen. I'm not sure if I said all that properly. 11:13

[@killerbees177]

Hoping those cops received a commendation on saving the CSX workers life. Hope he was able to walk out of the hospital.

[@JJfan48]

One of the best and most informative train channels

[@connieembury1]

I'm Canadian and lot of my parent's family members were railway people. I had railway safety drilled into me and I'm always respectful of trains.

[@hamentaschen]

Sorry to hear about being Canadian.

[@rjb5847]

@@hamentaschen why would that be?

[@TRAINFREAK120]

Talk about trains sneaking up on you. One time I was fishing off of a small railroad bridge. Heard the train, saw the train, and thought I’m ok, he’s at least a 1/2 mile away. Started reeling in my line and looked again he had already crossed 1/2 the distance to me. I just took off running and dove out of the way. He was blowing the horn non stop. I’ll never forget or fish off of a railroad bridge again.

[@paulkoza8652]

When living in Orange Park, FL, on the CSX main, three high school kids were fishing off one of the bridges south of town. A train came by and they ran like hell. Two made it, the third did not.

[@rjb5847]

Excellent Video. I worked on CP out of the Toronto area for 37 yrs., been retired for 14 yrs now. In my career, I was involved in 14 collisions with vehicles & 2 with trespassers, both of them were fatalities as well as 3 drivers out of the 14. Some were cases of the vehicle running into the side of us, others, they were just clipped because they stopped too close & were foul of the track. The most important thing now is those blue signs you mentioned, if one is stuck on the tracks, get out of the vehicle right away & call the number on the sign. If the train is going to hit the vehicle walk (or run) in the direction the train is coming from and obviously away from the track. If you move away from the train, the vehicle or parts may fly in your direction. Some vehicles fly or are dragged hundreds of feet when hit.

[@flkoolguy]

This was a fantastic video as always. My grandpa was an engineer for many years and told me all kinds of stories about accidents and near misses. He made sure to instill a since of caution in me about trains.

[@MidWesternRegionalRailfan]

2:01, 3:06, 7:25 I've got to admit, just seeing a person, car, or truck cross the tracks while a train is coming, that sends a chill down my spine. That's why we have Operation Lifesaver with us to teach people the importance of safety around the train tracks. See Tracks. Think Trains. Never try to beat a train.

[@mrtjbiga1784]

“Here's a phrase that apparently the airlines simply made up: near miss. They say that if 2 planes almost collide, it's a near miss. Bullshit, my friend. It's a near hit! A collision is a near miss. [WHAM! CRUNCH!] "Look, they nearly missed!" "Yes, but not quite.” ― George Carlin

[@michlo3393]

I think of that bit every time someone says "near miss" lol.

[@glens2036]

I once had a very close call with a train while drunk. I turned to look behind me at just the right time. The train had to be traveling at at least 40 to 45 mph. I am thankful I am still here because I very well could have died that night.

[@ArkansasTrainz]

Thank you for this video lots of people needs to see this video about railroad safety

[@tylershuler5097]

I personally am a drone pilot, and I was at the Greenville downtown rail yard getting some shots of the NS Brick inspection train that was parked, and I accidentally crashed my drone into a powerline pole. same thing happened to me and only the propellors were messed up, but... I was in a rush because 2 trains were going to be approaching and I pulled out my pocketknife and I went to open a new package of props, but it was the wrong side of props, so I went to open the second one and... graphic warning!!! I sliced my finger open, and blood started pouring out. so, in my thinking, I thought how do I stop the bleeding, so I grabbed one of the drone manuals and wrapped my finger with it. I went to the ER and had to get 6 stitches. I still can't feel part of my finger, so I think I cut the nerve. So yes, I am much more careful and am saving for a drone with omni directional sensors. at least I got some good shots

[@nathanpohl8732]

The Bull came from a truck that was going to a slathering house. The bull was saved and put in a animal sanctuary. If I remember correctly, its name is Ricardo.

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

HA! Awesome

[@MyrtleBeach123]

What a bunch of bull. 🐂

[@RailRider9571]

Ferdinand IRL.

[@dexterpoindexter3583]

Whenever a cow gets in Ricardo's way now, he tells her she's got a lotta 'splaining to do.

[@sirblack1619]

In all of the years that I have watched trains at various crossings through Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado I have seen some very close calls. I am just glad that I have not seen any actual accidents.

[@JessicaKasumi1990]

Trains ARE the king of the road in all situations. You should always be safe around trains because no matter what, the train wins.

[@dexterpoindexter3583]

Yes. Except when facing some landslides and tornados.

[@Flea-Flicker]

I fly drones too. Here is something to watch out for. Sometimes the right of ways of the rail road include high tension power lines that can jam your signal.

[@BrokenFootRailfan]

Great video, as always! I’ve seen some close calls in my time watching and filming trains. Some people are just oblivious to the danger of stepping out or driving in front of an oncoming train! It seems like people in this area are constantly getting hit by trains-it barely even makes the news anymore.

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

I can tell you in NJ they were two Brush Fires near NJT. The bull on the track at Newark Penn Station. NJT found the bull a home late 2023 into early 2024. Here's a closet call. NJT Altantic City Deadheads on track 1 at Hamilton nearly got the tripod off the Eastbound Platform. Thankfully the Barrell fence kept it from going down as I was learning how to film trains with a Tripod. Another one was at Bound Brook for NS 20E back in 2018. The Camera was still recording it and the tripod tip again before the Station was renovated in 2023-2024. Man I remember my times. Thankfully I learned from it.

[@SkylarsTerribleMemes]

emergency vehicle dispatch should have a way to connect with railroad dispatch so trains can stop if possible, but most of the time we can't even let them control traffic lights :/

[@lucmarchand617]

Thank you expose this.I live western canada i saw lots bad thing worst downtown calgary with cpkc railway lots people's take short cut or watch cellphone hit by trains.The cn rail wreck many years ago when semi trucks load pipe for pipelines in edmonton alberta tried beat trains at crossing.The result trains hit trucks pipe flew air and huge derailment this was news for while.Thanks video again😮

[@jaredstafford3354]

Once again another great & professional video

[@jeffrichman4298]

We have all had the trai pod falling experience

[@ChristopherMartin-e8r]

I had one of these experiences too about 2 years ago. I was railfanning along the MARC Camden line and brought my bike along with me. I made the mistake of putting it too close to the tracks and when a CSX freight train came roaring by my bike was blown over by the high winds. The bike then almost rolled under the train which would have absolutely destroyed my bike and thrown dangerous debris into me and others standing by. Luckily I pulled the bike up just in time and learned my lesson. ( Sidenote this particular station, College Park UMD has had short narrow platforms for decades and is finally getting the funding for platform expansions. Hopefully this situation won't be around for much longer.)

[@vatodad]

There is a simple action that few truckers think about when their trailers becomes stuck on the tracks...Disconnecting the tractor from the trailer will greatly reduce the damage and tremendously reduce the impact to the locomotive. It can even make the difference between the train derailing. (The tractor represents a tremendous amount of wait attach to 1 end of the trailer, and, by removing this weight, it can tremendously reduce the impact felt by the engineer and conductor. However, I've NEVER witnessed a trucker thinking about this in time...which is really unfortunate.

[@shawntaber4475]

Another great video! I used to help teach Operation Lifesaver with CSX and NS. I always enjoy watching videos like this one.

[@RichardBrightwell]

It is so interesting that you just posted this. yesterday I was on Jones Mill Road in Doraville/Norcross coming up to Buford Highway at the train tracks. I go through this intersection regularly and usually have to wait for the light to turn green before I can turn right heading toward 285. Today, just as I approached the tracks, the light turned green and there was no one in front of me. I was so thrilled I was able to just roll across the tracks and turn right without stopping. However, as I was on the tracks, I noticed there was a train only about five car lengths away from me on the track aimed in my direction. It scared me to death. For some reason the signals were not working at all and thank goodness the train had come to a stop. This was at about 10:30 AM November 24, 2024. Once I calmed down, I thought to myself I've got to tell V12 about this! I know that you are local to Atlanta so you probably know the tracks I'm talking about. I came back the same way about 10 minutes later so that I could get a picture, but the train was moving again, and the signals were flashing and working as normal. I wonder how often that kind of thing happened where the train is coming, but the signals don't work. Am I perhaps misunderstanding what I saw or experience? I would love to know your thoughts on this. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

[@averyw.3939]

I believe that the circuit to activate the signals can sense the speed of an approaching train so the signals were probably not on because the train was traveling slowly and stopped far enough away.

[@SebastianLandrus]

Nice job on making that safety video V 12 productions keep it up and be safe out there while Railfanning please

[@danielneeley5480]

Great video again sir, always great content.

[@thomasmackowiak]

Thank you for this wonderful video on trackside safety. We all need to the reminded to pay attention when near any train tracks. (Posted on 25 November 2024 at 1329 CST.)

[@markvogel5872]

Not enough people know about the blue signs on crossings. Thanks for mentioning those.

[@robertmcconnell3788]

In Oct 2024 there was an NJT Light Rail engineer killed by a tree that was across the track after a wind storm. As an outside contractor I've had to take rail safety programs and the instructors were really good about pounding the reality of what a train can't do and the safety zone around the tracks. I will NEVER go around the gats or pass a red signal.

[@RDC_Autosports]

the other night i heard on the scanner by me on the wildwood sub CSX hit 2 trucks while they were paving

[@thephantomeagle2]

5:00 could also be bad bearings. I've seen it in the town I live in in Michigan. I could see and smell smoke and figured it was the lubricant that keeps the bearings moving. It if gets dirty, or hardens, the bearings can no longer move freely and start to heat up, creating smoke.

[@WyattBeauchamp-mx7eo]

Awesome vid! I know this is kinda off topic but I live in Maine near Bangor and unfortunately, we don’t get much traffic. And I believe all the tracks are owned by CSX? That’s what all the emergency crossing signs say. Sorry about the rant!

[@gkb003]

Fantastic video!

[@Manwholikestrains]

4:01 Train: you want to go by Fire truck: yes please Train: no beep beep I’m a train

[@roballen5670]

New Subscriber. Great video.

[@JeffBilkins]

The pedestrians at tram crossings footage explains why aspiring tram drivers have to do very strict reaction time tests.

[@me734]

Excellent Video V12!

[@TubbyTubberson]

Where was the location @10:00???

[@CSX110]

I was staring at your G Scale model Conrail caboose when you were showing the face Cam

[@ohnoohyeah3205]

Trains are ALWAYS going faster than you think.

[@csxtrainfan319]

I’ve had several close calls of my own back in June of 2020 I caught an SUV driver attempting to around the gates, but thankfully they made the right decision and backed up and a little over a month and half I almost got hit by a lite power consist because I was standing closer to the tracks than I thought I was and the train was coming faster than I was expecting. Please let this video be a lesson why you ALWAYS need to be careful around railroad tracks

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

Great video.

[@kens.3729]

TIE goes to the Train every time. The Big Dummies get a Free Ride to the County Morgue. 🤪👎

[@kens.3729]

R.I.P. # 161 🙏

[@proudfoamer2]

Great informative video.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

super great video 😍😍❤❤

[@kennethboucher7663]

My dad was an engineer and I was a conductor. My dad said that you never dumped the air until you hit them. They might get clear. Of course that is a generalization. There are times when you knew they weren’t going to get clear, so you went into for the big hole right away. But, if you were going to hit a tank truck, don’t go into emergency until you are clear of the wreckage.

[@MrNorth69]

I was told the exact same thing. Which road do you guys work for? I'm an engineer at BNSF

[@bjjt-nu9dx]

Look at any bridge abutment or column located near tracks and notice how many chunks and chips are broken off from straps, shifted cargo or even shifted containers hitting the bridge even 2 or 3 feet away from a normal passing train distance. One of those chunks could be taken from you.

[@AMRailfan11]

working for the railroad, every crossing could be the end of your shift... got a truck with a trailer & 8 golf carts, safe to say everything was a total loss but the driver was okay

[@steelswarfs]

07:43 looks like an FD Chief’s vehicle is on the bottom deck of that auto carrier.

[@CHOZENBUYSACOUCH]

The railroad's worst nightmare: Pokemon Go

[@Estonia-ty9fs]

Will the train accidents series continue?

[@UnionPacific1943-hz2oc]

I live in Texas we get lots of trespassers and idiots going around the grade crossing they don’t respect the railroad property but this is why we have to helped railroad from any trespassers and accidents I just hoped people will respect the railroad

[@Trainsaregreat365]

Your videos are very good

[@railfanofGeorgiastate]

When this came out I was Railfanning Cordele Georgia and this is sorta scary being close to getting hit or worse killed by a train

[@ryanmgill]

One of these days I'm going to run into you. I recognize many of your spots around Atlanta...

[@fluxthelycanroc9603]

Man i wouldnt say ive had many close calls but i think some of em that come to memory is one that happened when i was ct'ing on a local. We had done all our work and was smoking back to the yard. Our engineer and conductor were talking about non railroad stuff as he blew the crossing ahead of us and i saw something orange ahead on the tracks and called it out to him just as we cleared the crossing we all saw someone scramble off the tracks to the side as we missed em by about maybe a car. Another time we was on the north end of the yard and making a light engine move. The north end of the yard is known for having many people just run through the train or run around the gates infront and the lady drove around the gates turned around in the crossing and came back the way she came around the gates. I was a second from telling my engineer to just stop because she almost got hit. Please people dont go around the gates the time you save isnt worth my or your life especially if im riding the bottom. Just recently had an even closer call lights gates and bells going and im on the bottom and a guy comes speeding up to the gate and slams on the brakes to not hit the gates or anything. Just wait please

[@Newberntrains]

i also had a tripod topple over but now just attach a gopro with a clamp to the railing of the pax platform and go inside while i roll footage or stand on the former freight staging platform

[@terrymcnaughton1430]

Let's never forget Mary Wojryla who was running across some tracks in '91 with her attorney & was struck by a train & was killed instantly.She didn't see it till the last second.😥

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

thanks again

[@bjjt-nu9dx]

In several videos looks like you often hang out dangerously close to the Frosty Caboose in Chamblee. Beware of oncoming excess calories!

[@JediTev]

I'm a light rail operator and those videos from UTA strike close to home. It IS an everyday incident, multiple times a day, where people just ignore the flashing red lights. I call those clowns, Darwin Award Candidates.

[@peterp1158]

5:00 More likely that the brakes were sticking, because handbrakes automatically release when the engine pressurizes the brake line.

[@benjlar1902]

Well handbrakes are released by hand hence handbrakes. Air brakes stick when the brake is released from the head end without a positive reduction

[@A.MRailPhotography]

On Monday I was an new Zealand and there was a train coming and there was a close call with a truck and it was lucky to move out of the way in time

[@AlanMullen-w1f]

Had a close one a time or two.turned bad for a few 😢. fellas

[@ryanzz83627]

the bull escaped from a local butcher in newark and after this whole encounter he actually got sent to an actual farm or equivalent

[@lioness72118]

That first video may have been in a quiet zone and if so they can’t blow their horns in such an area

[@MrNorth69]

The train was also well over 500ft away from him moving about 35 mph. If someone is crossing far enough away I don't sound the horn

[@JasonTrew2018]

I've seen the aftermath of a train hitting a person, the person did survive and he lost a leg and broke an arm.

[@rottenroads1982]

In the end, People can have a Serious Brain Fart moment and they end up paying the price for it with their lives.

[@SG118P]

I seen a lot people doing the risky move in my home town PC

[@MVF_2024-]

10:01 or with trains that fly and on your phone or trying to take a picture,. like 844 in 2018 hitting a person and in 2024 2816 hitting a lady in Mexico, so be careful and stay 15ft away from the tracks!

[@nelsondawson9706]

I saw a sign on Cajon Pass on TSW that said see tracks think train and I follow that all the time

[@ourv9603]

If you ever get stuck on the tracks behind traffic & see a train coming - Ram your way thru traffic. !

[@BrightsTrainsNTrucks2023]

1,000th like also good vid

[@Nderak]

3:24 truck could have been super heavy the driver canted the angle to get extra stopping distance instead of hitting the drop arm?

[@terjen55]

I'm wondering how close your cameras are to the rail that were blown over. It appears trespassing on railroad property might be your problem.

[@wideslammer]

Another interesting video. Hope you soon get those last subscribers who will tip you past the 100,000 number.

[@NicholasKingan5531]

Nice video

[@chrisc2683]

@1:35 “Although, I don’t know why the engineer didn’t give him any warning.” Cause he wanted those 3 days off that’s why.

[@MrNorth69]

Nice joke

[@RailPreserver2K]

I've caught some close calls myself

[@RailRider9571]

The shot at 9:00 , Is that even legal?? Ive always thought it was tresspassing or illegal.

[@carrollcameron7472]

Cities/towns/villages and the appropriate railroads have to get together and level the crossings. All these stuck on crossing accidents are caused by the railroad tracks being the top of a hill with the road surface approaches being sidehills. One way to do that might be designated crossings that are closed to vehicles with more than 3 axles and even make it impossible for them to physically approach the crossing. Crossings designated for over 3 axles need to be a flat road surface with at least a trailer length of flatness on each side of the crossing and level with the top of the rails. All my opinion, of course, and it's not offered for debate.

[@MrNorth69]

High centered crossings cause about 40% of train/18 wheeler collisions. the other 60% is driver error. such as getting using GPS going over crossings that prohibit trucks. as for leveling out the crossings? Well that falls on the city/county. on crossings RRs only own 3 ft out on each side of the rail

[@AZNHRP]

4:44 pretty much all of the USA

[@bryanshoemaker6120]

People need to be better parents. My father would have beat my ass if I was running around like that.

[@TheJanitor2000]

Isn't there something about not allowed to fly in train yards and other things of that nature when you buy your drone and the FAA don't allow it?

[@randomtransitadventures]

V12 show when

[@SimonsEMDProductions]

I just did a research paper on railroad trespassing demographics. Funny how this video comes out a few days after I submitted it

[@ThatRailGuy]

Bro what did Utah do? most of these clips are UTA fronrunner.

[@N.P.R.P.]

You know, it kills me that people don't have commonsense anymore nowadays. Especially when it's associated with trains.

[@44R0Ndin]

old fashioned common sense was caused by what's known as survivor bias. The foolish people back then simply ended up in the obituaries. These days they just end up on videos like this. I think that's better.

[@Hothenrik]

Why does the narrator keep pausing in the middle of a....sentence?😶

[@jarrettgerber6527]

Remember the cop that left the victim in the police car on the railroad tracks and both of the police got their job back and the girl that was left in the car that got hit by the train still got fined

[@onebadbirdy]

cellphones i know are coming a big problem in this world for how much i would love to see them get banned

[@lostsheep2640]

Cool video but isn’t it in the FAA rules not to fly near rail yards and stuff like that?

[@JeffC-fq1be]

:16 - near hits, not "near misses."

[@mikepriceup]

You probably just got that NS crew Fired with your i don't why the engineer didn't give him any warning take. Please pull this video and edit that part out. Really to much commentary on that one. 20 yr class one conductor here.

[@leaettahyer9175]

I always race trains to the crossings. My Tesla is faster than any train. Even faster than an Acela.

[@EggityEggMan123]

Idiot. Just idiot

[@MrNorth69]

FYI trains have hit Tesla's.. they tend to blow up.. keep that in mind smart guy

[@Godless-Being]

I think most of these people have a death wish