Railroad ENGINEER: BAD DAYS! Hitting A CAR!

[@trafficsignalman]

DJ, I was told by an AMTRAK engineer that there are two types of engineer: those who have hit cars, and those who will. Glad no one was injured in your experience. I work in Traffic Engineering, the biggest issue folks have when trying to judge the speed of a train is aspect. The locomotive is taller than it is wide (2x typically) the average car is wider than it is tall. Folks are used to judging speed of cars, and misapply that to the train. A 60 mph junk train can appear that it is only going 40. I have a story for you, keeping it light: about 15 years ago, I was doing a traffic signal study in a small rural town in Florida. The area was near a school, and a rail spur crossed the main road to the school. It was at the beginning of a siding where the train would park for clearance to join the main, or crew change. The crossing was easy to see from my vantage point, but vehicles approaching from the opposite side could not see up or down the tracks until they were actively crossing. Due to proximity to the school, the crossing was active with gates. An empty coal unit was parked 50-100 feet from the crossing, hidden by the brush with all of its lights on: ditch and headlights, but the train was static, not moving, and I did not see any crew in the 4 hour observation.. About halfway through, an empty school bus approaches the crossing from the shielded side, and slow rolls through their mandatory stop, look, listen. The driver looked to their left first 9away from the static train) proceeded to cross, and looked left. Immediately upon seeing the lights and the gold CSX feet from the bus, the driver nailed the brakes, hard. The look on the driver's face was priceless, I don't suppose that driver slow rolled through a crossing again. I ended up taking photos of the approaches and sending it to the Road Master for review. Within a month the crossing was cleared 200' in both directions. I know this is long, but lots of folks don't take the danger of a train strike seriously, there are no winners. Really appreciate your channel, and the videos, keep it up.

[@djstrains]

True

[@jeffmcconnell2933]

DJ. Thanks for sharing the reality with people. I worked as a Conductor out of San Diego for 18 years. Being in such an urban area, we had suicide by train incidents all the time. It took me until the last day of my fifth year for my first one. Since then I was involved in 8 fatalities of which only two were not suicides. And due to riding the headend numerous times, your statement of feeling helpless is something very few can truly understand. You whistle, throw the train into emergency and yell at those in your way even though they will never hear you. In the end, you can hope and pray something changes at the last second. And even a close call feels just as bad physically as a strike. May God continue to shield you from the trauma that so many of us have to live with. You’re blessed. Please keep up the great work on your channel. I really enjoy it!

[@sirlevine538]

You never hear the accidents from the point of view of the train driver, there is so much that happens that you never hear about. Thanks for sharing!

[@warbonds]

Wow! Spoken as a true railroader! I have 27 years on the railroad, and 25 as an engineer. I've dealt with many of the situations you mentioned in your video, and Im sure we could share quite a few war stories.

[@xx5zi]

Thank you for speaking about this. Probably 30 years ago, I read an editorial in Trains, about the perspective of an engineer or conductor when they are involved in a car vs train collision. It was one of the most moving and honest things I've ever read. In the end, the writer, a 27 year veteran of hogging, said that of all the investigators that arrive on scene to do their jobs, and at every one of the incidents he was involved in, not one person from the state patrol, the railroad, or the NTSB, ever asked him, "Are you okay?" Luckily, we understand a lot more about PTSD today than we did then. Stay safe, brother.

[@melissamcconnell6541]

DJ, thank you for being open, honest and sharing a topic most don't understand. My husband, Jeff McConnell, commented below about his experiences as an Amtrak conductor. As a wife, I wanted to share how difficult it is to see your partner traumatized after either hitting a car, many suicides, near misses and hitting dogs running down the middle of the tracks and get hit as they can't figure out how to jump off the tracks. I believe the hardest thing for the Conductor is to have to walk back to the accident scene and see if the person is dead or alive. If alive he/she calls for medical help. If deceased, the train goes NOWHERE until the police get there, plus coroner and possibly NTSB. D J, you know all this but perhaps your readers don't! When the Conductor or Assistant Conductor if Amtrak gets on the PA, they have to let the other passengers know it could be a 2+ hour wait with no one exiting the train. It was the time a goofy lady threatened my hubby with calling her Congressman and Senator to help her! Jeff just told her to go ahead and call! I rode with him a lot which is how I learned so much. Dear Railfans and train lovers, please know these brave Engineers and Conductors like DJ and Jeff plus tons more immediately go into trauma mentally when these accidents occur. It is like the PTSD our Veterans have suffered from. DJ and others work so hard and need to acknowledge when these things occur to not hold the feelings in but to talk them out with a professional. I honor you, DJ and blessings to you as a hog head on CSX. Melissa🚂

[@djstrains]

Thanks Melissa, very kind

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

"Mobile Greasers"... I'm still chuckling after that one. I'm so sorry that pedestrians and drivers don't respect the trains enough to get out of the way. Also, I'm sorry that individual committing suicide sometimes choose death by train. They're not thinking about how their action will effect the lives (and dreams) engineers and conductors for years to come. Stay safe out there my friend!

[@ShawnCalay]

Sadly is why i no longer work for the railway....i had 14 accidents in 21 years ....the last one effected me so badly as i saw a senior citizen in the back seat her eyes locked with mine....i thought of my mom immediately....i was offered a buyout and started a trucking company. Have 7 semis 2 box trucks and 2 vans...a few shortlines tried to hire me in texas....

[@djstrains]

I’m so sorry to read this and hope you find peace. Thank you for sharing your story Shawn

[@ShawnCalay]

@@djstrains thanks DJ...that one is stuck in me ....I hit a semi dump at rt 64 in the Chicago burbs that put both of us in the hospital same location of the famous CRST accident

[@scottunger8585]

Nice presentation of a difficult subject.

[@djstrains]

Glad you liked it

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

DJ, that horse was punishing the owner, horses are quite intelligent, it knew exactly what it was doing.

[@awalker1829]

In my ten years on the railroad, I was involved in a couple of grade crossing collisions and one pedestrian strike. No one killed but each one was hell for the crew. These were back in the days before relief crews were used. We had to deal with the situation and get the train over the road. Your mind keeps replaying the event, even though you know you couldn’t avoid it. We used to paint the emergency brake valves on our Geeps red every year. Within six months the paint on the handle was back to bare metal. It’s been over twenty years and I can still remember each collision clearly.

[@TheColemnpg]

My dad was a locomotive engineer with the Santa Fe and later Amtrak for a total of about 35 years. Unfortunately he had many of the experiences you’ve described and it affected him in many ways for many years. I think his greatest struggle was with being largely powerless to avoid it (a potential tragedy) after the realization of what is about to happen. I can only imagine how that would feel. I am such a train nut, and yet this kind of horror is something I just can’t relate to fully, and I hope I never will. I’m really sorry you went through those things, and I hope you’ve taken the time and care needed to recover. Thank you for sharing this in a very visceral way so that others can understand and hopefully a few may even take heed.

[@cp368productions2]

This question is like asking a cop if they have ever shot anyone. It's a question that just shouldn't be asked ever. Roughly 12 years ago an NS Intermodal with a brand new SD70M-2 leading T-boned a Peterbilt where I live. The truck exploded in a ball of flame, driver perished, all that was left of the tractor was the chassis, the exhaust stack and some fender pieces that broke off. He saw the train just 2 seconds before impact. He just wasn't looking and drove right into it's path.

[@macmedic892]

Years ago, I picked up an extra shift on the boo-boo bus; across the road is the NS Crescent Line. I’m lounging in the station and hear a train blowing for the 3 or 4 crossings just down the road. It goes from long-long-short-long to continuous and I hear the train cars start slamming together. I grab my partner and we head out to check. About 1/4 mile down the road I see a school bus spun around, and as we get closer we can see catastrophic damage halfway between the back tires and bumper. But it all worked out, for us at least. The bus was empty. I was so thrilled and relieved to put that out on the radio. The only casualties were the Fruit-of-the-Looms. I know how scared I was to be the first emergency responder on the scene. I can’t begin to imagine what the train crew felt. [edit: the bus had stopped for the red traffic light; the gates had dropped behind her. The traffic light didn’t change for the train. Traffic on the busy cross-street didn’t stop to let the bus out.]

[@xx5zi]

I'm really glad you touched on this very important subject. About 30 years ago, a seasoned engineer wrote an editorial for Trains magazine about the problem of grade crossing collisions and near-misses. In 26 years as a hogger, he'd been in 9 fatality car vs. train incidents, and the emotional toll it had taken on him was pretty evident. Stay safe out there, man.

[@djstrains]

some never return to work.

[@larrycummings7300]

Engineer for 38 years. 14 crossing accidents, 3 dead, and hundreds of near misses. The worst miss was a school bus missing it by inches. You will never be the same. Good job describing the life.

[@monroefuches2707]

I had a city bus run the gates in front of me. I think the passengers may have "educated" that bus driver shortly thereafter. Some school buses stop too close to the tracks to do the door open thing or pull right up to the lowered gates. Things fly off of moving trains and loads may shift unnoticed. It is truly flirtin' with disaster. (h/t Molly Hatchet)

[@briangarrow448]

I had a friend many, (40), years ago whose father was a semitruck driver. His dad's nickname was Derail. You guessed it. He had been involved in 2 accidents with trains. Which actually happened more often than I EVER would have thought because of the way the street crossings that were in our local industrial area. Stay safe out there.

[@Nethanel773]

7:16 For real. I recall a retired engineer speaking at an NRHS meeting, as part of Operation Safe Block. He related to the audience his early days as a young engineer in 1963, and a hit accident that scarred for him life. The car was stuck at the crossing, and he told how he saw the faces of the family, the children, who couldn't get out in time... The engineer carried on with his career till retirement, but the image never left him. Thank you, DJ, for sharing this. God help you and your fellow trainmen. And the rest of us folks near tracks, whether fans or late-for-something-motorists - always keep watch!

[@nw24153ns]

Thanks for sharing. Often when I hear a train I say a prayer for the crew because 40 years ago when I started on a truck company of a Fire Department I was part of a crew that responded to an Amtrak hitting a teenager. Most people either don't know or never think about how their actions affect others such as train crews, police, fire and EMS.

[@RWSBaden]

Hi DJ, You would think working in Engine House Territory we would not have that problem, but yes we hit a truck coasting a locomotive into the engine house at 4 mph. We receive engine oil via tanker truck and while coasting a locomotive into the engine house with the bell ringing, here comes the tanker truck right across the tracks. Even at 4 mph, we only shoved the truck a few feet, but it still had to be towed to a repair facility. The driver stated he was not paying attention, he was retiring that day and his mind was on his retirement. The craziest part, the truck driver told us his father was a retired engineer. That's all it takes is a few seconds of loosing focus, thank God no one was injured. Oh Man Talk about wild life, the stench and fur balls left on the traction motors after a locomotive hits wild life is enough to make you loose your lunch. From time to time I also find dead birds behind the snow plows or on top of traction motors, the worst was several years ago found a dead turkey stuck under the air horns. The only thing I can think of is, it must have been sleeping in a tree near a crossing, was startled by the horn, try to fly and the horn got it. I even found a skill once, probably a possum. Another great video DJ, stay safe out there and remember "Three Points of Contact" the "Buddy System" and for crying out loud, wash your hands 🤣 😂 🙃 Cheers, Rich S.

[@lesforan7695]

I am a retired loco engineer. Close calls at grade crossings are the worst part of the job. The very worst thing to hit is a school bus. The next worse thing is a fuel tanker. Over my career, I have hit several autos and trucks, but fortunately none of the above. I once worked for a guy who hit a station wagon with a family in it. Killed two adults and three kids. That was it for him running trains. He told me the adults didn't look for the train, but the kids did. Fortunately, none of my accidents resulted in serious injuries, If you want to drive trains, you have to accept the possibility of this happening. All you can do is make sure you have done what you can to avoid this happening.

[@NS_5350]

I see those tanker trucks in Coraopolis every time I railfan there! Fortunatly haven't seen any incidents yet!

[@toddbehrends1373]

This took a lot guts to talk about. Thank you for sharing, I could tell you were shaky taking about it.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Not an easy and non stressful job. You can tell you still get a bit emotional about it. My hats off to you and your great service of transport and moving product.

[@YardLimit]

Thanks for posting this. I'm glad you made a point of saying that railfanners aren't the problem. I have a couple friends that are engineers and both have hit people or cars. It's a horrible thing for them.

[@djstrains]

Well said!

[@saberridge6867]

I pray you never have a fatal train / motor vehicle incident. My mom told me about her grandfather when he was an engineer for the old B&O RR, back in the days of huge steam engines. Unfortunately, he had a car stuck on the tracks and the driver was so focused on trying to restart the car he never got out. She said, while he continued to drive trains, he was haunted by seeing the driver frantically trying to start as well as little details like the color of his shirt and such. As a former modeler, thinking about starting a small layout, I enjoy your videos.

[@jamesmclaughlin6886]

I understand the "sick" feeling you are speaking about, as I was an engineer on a tourist railroad and was involved in a fatal grade crossing accident years ago. We were returning to our departure station one late morning when a car drove around another vehicle that had stopped for the crossing lights and bells, and tried to beat the train. My fireperson screened and hit the floor of the cab, and I layed on the horn and "dumped" the train, but it was too late. We were traveling 26 mph on a 30 mph track and hit the front right side of the car. All I can remember is that sound of crunching metal and the smell of radiator fluid! Sadly the 86 year old passenger was killed. I took several weeks off and then tried to returning to engineer's seat but I was so nervous while working,I had to give up the job. To this day I can't forget how one idiot driver could cause such a tragic sequence of events! Fortunately no one on the train was injured, but the trauma will last forever.

[@djstrains]

Stories like these break my heart. I am very sorry for all involved. Senseless. I wish you well.

[@Lucdoiron]

I understand what you're going through dealing with the aftermath of an accident. Unfortunately I went through 2 fatalities in less than 3 years. Pretty rough, but fortunately on the railway we have a great support system amongst the brother/sisterhood to help each other out. Great video! Keep your head up

[@fellerz]

I am a longtime railfan and I enjoy your posts. It offers a unique perspective. I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions that I have always wondered about. 1. How does a railroad select the lead (point) locomotive for a long-haul train? I frequently see an older locomotive at the point with obviously newer locomotives behind it? Is there a strategy to it? Or is it just random? 2. How (or why) do locomotives get shuffled around a railroad's system? And it's not uncommon to see a mixture of locomotives from different railroads pulling a train. Is there some sort of locomotive-sharing agreement in place? Finally, what is your favorite all-time locomotive? Thanks

[@djstrains]

Hi, I answered these in previous videos I think you will enjoy. Please go to my channel's playlist for LIFE AS AN ENGINEER and also PROTOTYPE INFORMATION. Thanks, and enjoy.

[@thomasyoest6557]

A big rig driver I worked with, (20 yrs. exp. myself), in the early hours of the morning, climbing a steep grade, on a rural state highway in PA, heavy and pulling slow. A guide rail and a steep cliff beside him. Predawn, a car coming down the hill starts veering towards him at high speed. He pulls to the berm, rubbing the rail, but the car takes out the front wheel and takes out the fuel tank. Now we, as drivers, are supposed to take pictures of any accident scene. He told our safety director, Nahh. Understood. In my career, I have thankfully never hurt anyone, but have seen quite a few wrecks as they happened. But it was always the sound that chilled me to the bone. Anyhow, great vid's my friend. I live in Sharon, hauled steel, and know your stomping ground well. I still hear the occasional whistle come through town at night, but not like the nights you'd hear the slag dump, the sky light up, and trains on the hour. RIP, Shenango Valley.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

I pushed a string of barges along a waterway, and had the same inability to stop on short notice. One time a cowboy held up his hand for me to stop, and pushed a whole herd of cows into the water to cross the canal just under the bow of the leading barge. I felt one cow hit the prop, and many others got mixed in between the barges. We were spitting out cows for the next ten minutes. Last I saw of the cowboy he was stomping on his hat. My grandfather was engineer on steam engines. He has lots of stories of exploding boilers, jumping before hitting a stalled train, dead bodies on the tracks, and farmers trying to get paid for long dead cattle. Two of his brothers got knocked off trains by overpasses. Some of them were so common that he told the stories as calm as talking about picking flowers.

[@jonglass]

When my wife was a young teen (this was back in '79-'80), she and a friend thought they'd walk out onto that big Monaca bridge (from the Beaver side), and quickly discovered that getting off again was not so easy. They found themselves running in front of a train, and hopping off the end of the bridge mere seconds before it passed them. I think they learned their lesson. :-)

[@djstrains]

Yeah, that bridge is no joke. Glad she's alive to tell that story.

[@gcorriveau6864]

I was with my dad at work (in the way-back machine) when we saw a car on a parallel road obviously racing us to the next level crossing. My dad was laying on the horn over and over and over and shouting at him to slow down and stop! I've never seen my father so scared. (and yes, thankfully, at the last moment the car finally stopped short.) phew... NOT fun.

[@djstrains]

My worst was a red car racing me parallel and there was a car seat in the back, he barely beat us.

[@BossSpringsteen69]

I got two trucks under my belt. It doesn't pay to be in a rush.

[@RailfanNetwork]

I always follow my own rule; if there’s ballast under your feet, you’re in danger. I am even leery about getting too close to “abandoned” trackage. I’d hate to ruin a train crews life by having them accidentally end mine.

[@kensingtonchapp4819]

You are absolutely doing the right thing by being cautious around "abandoned" lines. In Los Angeles we have some old industry tracks that LOOK abandoned, and there are signs prior to the grade crossings that even say "exempt," but those tracks are very active. The exempt signs cause truckers to believe they're abandoned, and they'll stop their damn trucks right on the tracks. I've had a few close calls, but at least I'm only going 10mph on those tracks so it's easy to stop. I even called the safety department of a tank truck company on one particular truck that blew through the flashing lights. So, long story short, you're absolutely correct to be cautious on all tracks.

[@RailfanNetwork]

@@kensingtonchapp4819 You're right! No video is worth getting hit by a train or endangering train crews.

[@leehuff2330]

I was waiting for you to comment on 'not if, but when'. I used to have a friend who retired from Conrail who said the same thing.

[@austinyingst5902]

Two thoughts. Where I lived in Pa. it was illegal to turn from a parallel road to cross tracks. A fire truck did that and paid the price. What a lot of folks never realize is that these newer diesels are downright quiet toward the front and can slip up on you and your only hope is the horn. I learned that standing waiting for a train to come around the curve and missed my long-awaited photo shot. I'm still mad at myself for that.

[@johnoneill5661]

I work on the London Underground and dealing with Suicides/accidents is the worst thing going and it’s even worse for the train drivers.😢

[@djstrains]

It is amazing that I get views from around the world. But yes, we have had engineers who never returned.

[@daveward1935]

@@djstrains !

[@kevinhudson8226]

Hey DJ. I am a long time subscriber and thanks for sharing. This brought back memories of my dad telling me stories about how dangerous trains are and don’t ever try to beat a train because you will surely lose especially Amtrak going 80 to 90 mph. He was a Conductor for Illinois Central Gulf in the mid-60s an Amtrak City of New Orleans in the early 70s to the early 90s and as you know the railroad is a tough job. He told me they hit just about every animal under the sun and the only reason why he did not want to be an engineer was because of a fear of hitting a loaded fuel tanker truck he said they hit one but it was full of milk and that was enough for him. He was an old Conductor and seen a lot of accidents he would tell engineers as long as you followed the Railroad Rules and Regulations and know you did the best that you could do than it was truly an accident. Stay safe out there.

[@gregbowen617]

Hey DJ, another great video... unfortunately I witnessed a train hitting a car when I was young. The driver survived thankfully but it was not an experience I’d like to repeat... stay safe and regards from Melbourne Australia!

[@dragonpullman23]

Well, most railfans are smart enough to know not to cross track when we hear a train in the distance and especially when we see the headlights. As you said, trains are going faster then what it appears when you see one approaching and they are so heavy and powerful that they can't stop easily.

[@ElwoodEmmons]

27 years as Class A CDL driver I was lucky I hauled explosives. I've had so many close calls I was lucky I never had a accident I thank God for that but as a driver of anything like that you know right away when you come onto a situation your stomach sinks and you kick into training mode and I always just block everything and did it by the numbers and normally things worked out. I have friends who left the industry and ones that have been screwed up for life because of accidents. I appreciate what you do every day brother be safe

[@ElwoodEmmons]

@David curtis I always loved the ones that passed me 100 ft from the off ramp just to cut you off to get off but, at the same time I saw drivers do stupid stuff to we are not immune to stupid it comes in all forms be safe and have a good one

[@NS_8103]

I recall almost witnessing a death two years ago at the Pittsburgh Holdout while railfanning. A kid was walking on the tracks while playing on his phone and didn't notice Q016 sneeking up behind him. I yelled a train was coming and thankfully, he got off the tracks in time. After that he continued walking along the tracks like nothing happened. The kid was 5 seconds from getting hit.

[@jeffbaker2897]

DJ, I 🙏🏻 for you & all weather it be train engineers or truck drivers, operators of any type of equipment, I myself also know first hand of being pulled out on & being hit, you are right it does leaves its mark on you & changes you forever. I was a highway striping paint truck operator for over 32+yrs & have seen my share for sure. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Have a Happy Mother’s Day DJ. & stay safe. 😎👍👍👍🛤🚂

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

I have also heard the term "organic rail greaser" for possums. BTW There is a cool (since no one was hurt) video of an NS train hitting a high-centered stretch limo out in New Paris, Indiana a few years back. Hit it broadside and shoved it down the tracks, snapping off the crossing signals and sign posts in the process. I have friends who live near tracks and use crossings frequently and I alerted them to the sign plates with the 1-800 emergency number at each crossing. Hardly anyone knows about them outside the profession or hobby.

[@andrewpalm2103]

This reminds me of a terrible incident when I was a teen back in the early 60's. A girl about 12 from our church was playing with a couple of other kids on the C&O/PM trestle over the CSS&SB in MIchigan City, Indiana when a fast Detroit to Chicago passenger train ran them down and killed them all. There was nothing the train crew could have done. I can't even imagine the horror for all involved.

[@daveward1935]

Yeh. Very few people understand that just because a locomotive/train is big and powerful doesn't mean that what is hit is not felt in the cab. Have hit critters from racoon to deer, livestock, and near everything between. Felt and/or heard every one of them from the console. Two cars with one survivor (yard limits speed - 10mph) and a second car a couple years later, soccer mom van with 5 kids at 71 mph on an intermodal bird. Center T-bone. Impact on passenger side, the passenger side wrapped around the breastplate while the other side opened and wrapped the engine's front ladders on both sides. Kinda like Jiffy Pop. It took nearly a mile to stop even though I shot it (EM) well before the hit. Birds are fast but don't always stop very weel. TPOB stuff. East Iowa corridor, double main. While she was trying to beat us across the tracks, the kids were all looking directly at us with the "deer in the headlights face". Broad daylight, gated, flashing crossing, straight track for at least a mile in either direction. EYE contact before impact. I puked.... There were no survivors. One suicide by train on the downhill approach to Summit eastbound (Omaha). Teenage girl standing between the rails with arms out looking directly into the lights - it was about 2 or 3 a.m. 124 loads coal train at 50 mph going downhill.... Parts of her body were on the breastplate, some on the windshield and grabiron. Some in the traction motors = her burning flesh stank and I puked. I resigned from UPRR a few months later in '08. Between UPRR and USMC, I don't need any more nightmare material. F it. Money ain't everything. Please feel free to pass this writing on to other entities such as "Operation Lifesaver" or anyone else trying to teach rail safety. Hopefully it will help to keep unnecessary tragedy away. If only one "at risk" person hears and heeds, it's worth the effort! Thanks for posting. Sorry if my numerous posts seem to be trolling, but some of the most fun I've ever had was hoggin'. There's no substitute for four burners online and a short stacker, with nothing but clears on the ride home. I miss the work/runnin' 'em. NOT the lifestyle that surrounds it, if that makes any sense.

[@djstrains]

Man, I had trouble reading that because I hear what you are saying very well.

[@rjohnson1690]

The eye contact is the worst.

[@WestVirginiaRailfan]

Great video, it’s always great to see an engineer talk about things they’ve experienced.

[@williambryant5946]

I was friends with the daughters of a man that was an engineer for NS and went on to be the head of the Brotherhood of Engineers union in the Linwood NC area. He had hit many cars and several with people in them. He said that a few were killed. He said that he remembers the faces of all of them that he watched as the train hit them and that he had to stop looking because it bothered him so much. He retired now and says that its not as bad now as it was but still has nightmares about it. To keep his position as the head of the union he had to keep his engineer license or qualifying hours up to date or how ever it works I can't remember, so he still had to make runs ever so often and said that he got more anxiety about it as the years went by. Almost like PTSD from war.

[@djstrains]

ptsd is real among us. I have it for an experience years ago that i haven't talked about.

[@williambryant5946]

@@djstrains I truly believe it and understand why.

[@v4victory665]

DJ... Appreciate you sharing your personal life on the railroad. being a rail fan I see trains operating in person and on KZbin vids, but hearing your stories and perspective as a engineer as added a greater enjoyment to what I already enjoy that I wouldn't have known. so Thank you. BTW I wrote this without any pants on... 😁

[@djstrains]

I appreciate that

[@simplywonderful449]

@@djstrains What, that he's writing without pants on?? Just kidding...!

[@TheSwitchList]

Thanks for sharing the stories DJ - really enjoy your real life experience videos. Stay safe. -Rick

[@djstrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@Cryptonymicus]

The thing that always galls me is that the obvious way to say it, "Train hit car," makes it sound like the train is at fault when the FACT is the train crew can't do anything to avoid a car or truck stopped on the tracks except slam on the brakes and pray. Maybe we need a new language. Maybe we should just say, "Car crashes train."

[@beeble2003]

There's no implication of fault. "The train hit the car" is simply a statement that a moving train and a car collided. The train being grammatically the subject of the sentence means that it was the thing performing the act of hitting and nothing more. It doesn't say why the train hit the car, what caused it, who should have done something different, or anything else.

[@jpdriver1967]

Have a retired uncle ran on the Rock Island, Cotton Belt, and finished with the UP. His territory had a lot of 60 MPH running. He hit a lot of cars and trucks over his career. The worst was a loaded gravel tractor trailer. Hit it right in the side of the trailer and it took the top of the cab off. He and the conductor were laying on the floor and got pretty skinned up.

[@jw4620]

I've been around trains all of my 73 years. Still can not understand why anyone would play chicken with a 350,000 engine that is not able to stop. WTF, people?

[@newwomyn]

Rail fans and those that have worked in the industry know the dangers of getting too close to the tracks. Anytime I go train watching, I know if I can see individual rocks in the ballast I know I am too close, and I need to back away. I usually train watch in Afton Oklahoma on the BNSF Cherokee Subdivision. That sub runs from Springfield Missouri to Tulsa Oklahoma, and trains have been known to run that sub at over 55 mph. Stay safe, stay off the tracks, and if you see a problem, be a good steward of the rails, don't be afraid to call it in. Most crossings have FRA crossing signs telling you the crossing number and in some cases the mile post number as well.

[@jolliemark6294]

As always it's nice to hear you stories, even this kind. My dad told me about a time a car passed the train on the right and them pulled in front of the train on Santa Monica boulevard in Hollywood and stopped to make a lefthand turn, afterwards in front of the police man looked at him and said "why didn't you stop I had the right away! " she had no idea that how long it take a train to stop....thanks for sharing....Jack 👍

[@alainaarrhodge5413]

Thanks for sharing your "Tails From The Rails" with us. Love your channel!!

[@djstrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@sparky107107]

I knocked on wood for you. but ya hope you do the same. I have a couple friends going through for Conductors/engineers in the Chicago area. and they said the same thing.. ONE of the first things they told them. It isn't if you hit someone, but when. They used a stronger word than HIT. thanks for sharing that DJ. can't be easy

[@monroefuches2707]

Retired and still have nightmares about the carnage

[@djstrains]

I'm sorry, I can't imagine your pain, I can only empathize since I see these situations so often.

[@monroefuches2707]

@@djstrains I’ve come to believe that you do not realize the effect it is having on you in real time because there’s always another critical incident (or a near incident) coming in the next few trips.

[@djstrains]

@@monroefuches2707 After hitting a car, I was so "gun shy" I caught myself ready to dump it every time I saw a car look like it was gonna race us.

[@716Railfan]

Thanks for sharing I have hopes on trying to work on the rr some day and it nice to hear the different perspective!

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@corneliusadeola7261]

djstrains Quick question where working CSX OR NS

[@jeffreygosselin1143]

Hi DJ! A great interview. Very frank and honest! Appreciate that! JG in Las Vegas.

[@JC-bl9bo]

Incredible story. Definitely answered questions I always have had. I live NJ so its almost monthly a NJ Transit train hits a trespasser and I always wondered what happens to the Locomotive Engineer and crew in general in a situation like that. Interesting video, thanks.

[@H3avyHaul3r]

me...many many close calls....hit cattle, pigs, a car and 2yrs ago a human...he lived but was under my lead bogie, it upset me and i’m not totally sure why...but mostly i was afraid that it would stop me doing the job i wanted to do...since then i have had two other close calls of people on the edge of platform/crossing tracks with emergency stops....guess thats the life of a citytrain driver i now lead....

[@rjohnson1690]

I got my first car about two years ago (not my first or last fatality). We had a car go around the gates, which was bad enough, but a second car followed them. We center punched the car while we were going 79 mph, and ripped the car in two. I had always heard hitting a car was like crunching a can, but this one was a really solid BANG. When I looked in my mirror the car as tumbling through the air like wrecked race car. It as the same height as the second level of the Superliner cars. It was amazing just how fast a passenger train gets stopped when you dump it. We stopped in only about 3000’.

[@djstrains]

sigh...

[@sofreak6]

Stay safe. People never think. I am so glad you haven't had any problems. God bless

[@djstrains]

Thank you!

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

Thanks for Sharing from your Heart,a Heart Felt Thanks for Your Service! Michael

[@djstrains]

Thank you kindly

[@jdmills4370]

Glad was just the empty car But one can see the emotional toll it took on you just by watching your eyes while retelling the story…

[@ECWnWWF]

at 6:18 - I was a horse and carriage driver for 7-years, the amish guy should've gotten off of his carriage and grabbed the horse by its harness/bridle and walked it (and the carriage) to safety...not continue to whip it.

[@simplywonderful449]

DJ, I'm enjoying your "LIife of" series and the stories you're telling. My grandfather was a gate operator for C&NW back before automated gates, sitting in a hut on stilts in Arlington Heights, IL for decades. I've seen a lot of railroad action, including a school bus/train incident several years ago on what is the Metra/UP Northwest line; that's the worst I can imagine, and seven high school students were killed by a commuter train headed into Chicago. Again, nothing the engineer could do at all, and the bus driver was a supervisor substituting for the regular driver. Our small town still remembers that day, as I was on the road adjacent to the tracks when it occurred. The railroad had a campaign to warn drivers, stating "If it's a tie, you LOSE" - something I see often when cars try to beat the train through a crossing. If they only knew... Also, I used to watch a train-hopper named "Stobe the Hobo" or something like that. He videoed his adventures riding freights, and had some good videos. I think he was in his 30s and it always amazed me that he seemed to have no job, etc. as most have (this was well before COVID). Last I'd heard he was "sideswiped" by an Amtrak train somewhere out east, as I recall, while walking across a bridge; they found his body quite a way down the tracks, having apparently been snagged by his backpack. I doubt the engineers even knew it happened.

[@gregferrin9104]

Thank you for sharing your stories, DJ! Obviously not an easy topic to discuss to the whole KZbin world. Great perspective for non-railroaders so we ensure to be safe ourselves to keep you safe too. Thank you, sir!

[@johngrady3492]

Appreciate the stories, esp this kind as many of the others have said. I was told an analogy a long time ago that stuck with me. A train is to a car as a car is to a can of soda. That one has stuck with me! Thanks, DJ! John

[@bobgallo2178]

Whenever there is a report of a train vs car accident, it's always, the poor people. I say, it's the poor crew, as they saw it coming and we're helpless to prevent it. Just my take on this.

[@rjohnson1690]

Yesterday I had some goofball jogging right down the middle of a siding while I was coming up behind him on the main at 70 mph. Now normally I wouldn’t have whistled in this situation, but I was coming up on the whistle board, and PTC would have laid on it anyway. When I blew the whistle this dude jumped probably 20’ in the air and landed right between the main and the siding (that was my fear, and why I didn’t want to blow the horn). Fortunately he jumped right back onto the siding track, and I got a good laugh instead of three days off. I wonder if he ever got the stains out of his fancy jogging outfit.

[@PC10.8]

Hope you stay safe. I see those tankers all the time in Coraopolis crossing the tracks when I railfan there.

[@NS_5350]

Same here! Haven't seen any incidents so far!

[@dumptruckdave423]

Yes very difficult subject !! I was a maintainer on conrail . Secured the scene a few times after a grade crossing accident .

[@josephcosta5161]

I was just saying in one of your videos about your scenery and what you see..be safe buddy.. keep them rolling,joe

[@luckychucky3426]

As a conductor on the Chicago North Western 43 years we hit an Asian couple the front of the car tore off the motor from the firewall went back to see them the gentleman was still holding the steering wheel they were both Frozen in fear they didn't get hurt I can laugh about it now I can laugh about it now

[@kensbackshop6399]

DJ you look lik PAULIE on the SOPRANOS with the grey hair LOL great video as always thanks for sharing,,Ken

[@PC81101]

I live next to New Castle, and it has to be insanely scary to see this happen.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

I saw several accidents within 20 yrs Fire & EMS but the drunk guy, high on drugs, committing suicide, drove his pinto station wagon under a loaded coal train and the car stayed under & rolled into a tight little ball, went under at one grade crossing and the train stopped at another grade crossing. It took us close to two hours to get the car peeled away from his body and we could hear him moaning the whole time. Not one scratch on him, unbelievable!

[@djstrains]

The public is always a problem.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

@@djstrains If we would just design AND build a system of streets and underpasses and reduce “at grade crossings” to zero, you might be able to go faster and safer … except for those that, sadly & willingly or not, want to compete for a Darwin Award!

[@shiftintohigh5564]

How could I not listen to this one!!??? Oh man glad no one hurt. Nicely done good sir👍👍😎😎

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MeigsCountyRR]

Thank you for another good video! I like those recesses in the wall. That's a good look. Greg in TN

[@djstrains]

Glad you like them!

[@bccarl88]

Just this weekend I was on a WLE train going in and out of Lima. When we run to Lima, we're on the CF&E mainline between Crestline, OH and Lima, OH. On the CF&E mainline, there's A LOT of crossbuck crossings where drivers do not like to pay attention to. I had a new engineer who wasn't too familiar with the route so he was being piloted by another engineer and I was telling him about all these railroad crossings out on the mainline and how bad they can be. Not even 30 seconds later a freaking ambulance almost came flying across a crossing! The ambulance SLAMMED on the brakes and got stopped in the nick of time!! I legitimately thought we were about to hit that damn ambulance 😰

[@djstrains]

I ran new castle to crest line for my first 10 years. Its flat out there! Yeah, everyday its something with the public. I had a mom drag a shopping cart of kids over a crossing and get stuck for a few seconds, people with headphones, kids playing chicken. I never break a sweat , but the mental aspect wears you down,

[@c.b.echelon2283]

I literally live a stone's throw from the diamonds here in Crestline, Ohio. lots of action, same for Mansfield, Ontario, Shelby...this whole area has very interesting operations, very modelable...the commute to work is awesome since I'm also going through Galion and then we have Willard. Lots of action on these stretches...and wildlife...

[@BoxcarJerry]

Always enjoy story time with you. Take care and be well.

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@davidschick6951]

Years ago, when I was way too young to drive, my then-stepfather drove us around a lowered crossing gate when we could all see the headlights of the oncoming train. He never seemed to feel any guilt and my mother, who was with us, never said anything about it.

[@djstrains]

yikes

[@davidblowe9096]

Many years ago I worked security at one of the biggest train crashes in my state (Victoria Australia) a truck driver didn't see the train in heavy fog hit the 2nd loco at the trailing end and got chewed up by the third loco, 750 metres of freight train ended up in a 150 metre pile of metal, the truck chassis was a pretzel and what was left of the cab was a fibreglass sandwich. The main (only) east/west interstate rail line was closed for a week. On the last night on sight as I watched a train going super slow approach the crossing a truck came toward's us out of the town speeding up, speeding up, speeding up when the crossing light were flashing and 2 security guards standing in the middle of the road signalling him, at the very last second just before the crossing he hit the brakes, luckily the train was still 100 metres off the crossing.. .. .. if that train had have been going normal track speed we would have bee there for another week or two. The initial accident happened at an unprotected crossing 200 metres to the west on a 100km/h road and unfortunately the truck driver was a fatality.

[@djstrains]

wow!

[@lodragan]

When I was a teen I would walk the tracks to work, with my bike at night. It was the fastest way to work, and actually safe compared to trying to ride my bike on major roads at night. It was a double track mainline, and I could sense the trains coming before I would hear them: the rails would make a pinging sound, and you could feel the vibrations through the ties or the rail itself if you were standing on it. At that point I would go into the ditch and get well clear of the track, and let it pass. Never had a close call using that method. I guess that's why I'm a model railroader after all these years. ;)

[@chrisbystrak7967]

Intresting point. You said as an engineer it's not a matter of if you will hit somthing , it's a matter of when. The same applies to motorcycle riding. It's not a matter of if you will get hit by a car , it's a matter of when. And just like you said , some people take it better than others.

[@steffenwyatt1772]

Can you do a video on where you see the future of the rail industry, and the changes you have seen over the years ?

[@djstrains]

its bad. really bad. technology and greed is eliminating jobs at a record pace.

[@steffenwyatt1772]

I guess that's a growing trend, I have seen alot of that were I have been as well. It's going to be interesting to see how everybody is going to be making a living 20 years from now. I recently applied for a short line railroad conductor job here in indiana. I also applied for hulcher not long ago, seeing how my work experience kind of correlates with what they do. But I dont want to start a career in another dying industry . It's kind of sad really.

[@scottpool4777]

Yes I totally agree yes sir I’m telling you.

[@cherokeecoyoteoffical4625]

I met an engineer that had a very scary close call with a load school bus

[@tylersebring8045]

When i railfan id always make syre theres no one playing chicken with a train and if anyonr has a break down on the tracks id always will help when i can nothing happend yet but im prepared to do so

[@beeble2003]

And the part of helping is to call 911.

[@anthonycedar7]

Great video! Glad you’ve been so lucky. Quick question, when TO is running, besides resetting the alerter and blowing the horn, do you do anything as an engineer or does TO just operate the whole time? If so I can imagine it would be very boring and it must be sad that you can’t operate trains manually anymore. Thanks!

[@djstrains]

Basically you are correct.

[@anthonycedar7]

djstrains Interesting. Does it slow for speed reactions, or do you have to manually do it? Thanks!

[@kensingtonchapp4819]

TO currently only operates the throttle and dynamic brakes. Not the air brakes. If a slowdown that requires air is necessary, it will advise us that air is required, or kick itself out into full manual control. It will slow for some Form A (slow order) restrictions, but not Form Bs (maintenance crews.) On TO systems that are integrated with PTC, it will slow a train for upcoming block signals, but on yellows (approaches) it requires us to take manual control.

[@matthewday6157]

I was wondering what the over night accommodations look like for train crews. Do they put you all up in a hotel? Do you have accommodations at different yards. Just curious. We really enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing a part of your life.

[@djstrains]

when we go to our "away from home" terminal, there is cheap lodging paid for by the company (comfort inn, quality inn).

[@chuckbessels9469]

Thanks for sharing this DJ...I’m sure it’s hard at times. Im a retired First Responder and have been on a number of RR scenes so I understand!

[@djstrains]

They suck, don't they?

[@chuckbessels9469]

djstrains Yes, they do. I worked EMS up in NY along the Metro North New Haven line and the Harlem line.

[@derail14]

in 20 yrs i never hit a car or a person but the close calls are so many i lost track i was also shot at 2 times by morons playing with guns.

[@gunfighterzero]

thanks for sharing

[@James16181]

Yoo I have all the pictures from that never knew you were the engineer

[@djstrains]

small world!

[@seanthornton1659]

@djstrains awesome video keep up the good work my friend your videos make me feel very happy when I watch your train videos

[@djstrains]

Thank you very much, my friend.

[@oldiron1223]

The "unofficial" nickname of the Alaska Railroad is the "Rout of the Moose Gooser". The moose will get down in the plowed right-of-way on the tracks and when the train's come they can't get out of the way for the deep snow. They kill gobs of them. The model railroad club I was in when I lived outside of Fairbanks was based on the old narrow gauge railroad that served the mining camps north of Fairbanks before being absorbed by the Alaska Railroad in the 1930's. We referred to the Tanana Valley (narrow gauge) Railroad as the "Rout of the Baby Moose Gooser.