Truck Stops on Railroad Tracks as Train Approaches - Laurel Street Railroad Crossing, San Diego, CA

[@johndettmann6785]

I still can not fathom any driver thinking getting hit by a train is a better option than going forward or backward breaking the guard rail!

[@trezjr73]

The gates are wood (not steel) and are designed to breakaway. The electrics are modular for quick and easy replacement. Railroads employ Maintainers for this purpose. The gates are there to keep you off the tracks ... NOT to keep you on. Jssssh!

[@Bigfoot-px9gj]

@@trezjr73 I take it that you're not convinced yet that most people in this country are not exactly the brightest bulbs in the box. That's ok, this is the Internet. Give them time. They can prove they're stupid in so many ways... And a lot of them make videos about it, for your entertainment.

[@zackamanda9799]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@palmdc8]

Probably an illegal

[@bigburrearp7609]

I agree. The driver probably didn’t know that the barricades are designed to break for just such an emergency.

[@MatthewsLife07]

The guy who lifted the gate up he is a hero!

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

He must be as strong as an ape.

[@arturomichel6344]

🤣😂😂🤣🤣😅😅😆😆obviously for you.

[@kevinconrad6156]

Was not needed, did you not hear and see that the gate would raise to release the truck when the train stopped.

[@aaronb7631]

Only if the truck driver had backed up. Since he went forward, then the guy is a "partner in crime"!

[@barrettwbenton]

Trains, planes, and stuck semis…you caught it all here!

[@Bassotronics]

Loved all the different trains that passed by. Never seen them before in those beautiful colors.

[@jefffuller9918]

Even cars.

[@mattdaugherty7865]

Lots of action in this video!

[@amergrant-ns5cr]

Planes, trains and trucks.

[@BrightsTrainsNTrucks2023]

This video has a lil bit of everything in it! Nice!

[@jonty1591]

GOD bless the man who lifted the barrier of the level crossing and the engine driver who waited

[@myfavorites1016]

Someone was watching over him

[@trezjr73]

Those gates are designed to breakaway. Stopping on railroad tracks because the gates are in the way is insane!

[@erie910]

If the crossing gate is broken, any later trains which pass through the crossing must stop and flag the crossing until the gate is repaired/replaced. This delays trains and inconveniences the passengers.

[@1958zed]

True, but I was thinking the videographer could have put the camera down, too, and helped out right away. Might have been easier and faster.

[@trezjr73]

@@1958zed He would have had to cross the tracks.

[@TheTallMan50]

That's the first time i've ever seen a train stop for traffic.

[@gnrrailroad1531]

It was actually stopping for passengers at the station. Luckily.

[@Jay-et7jh]

That's the main road to the Airport. Imagine the road is closed and imagine the future people mover having to pass this area connecting taking airport passengers to the airport!

[@p0358]

Well they most likely have an early warning system if anything is wrong at the crossing. And like person above said, it's better to slow down/stop for a minute or two, than to have a crash and take out the railway for hours at best

[@ramblerdave1339]

In time, anyway!

[@DRDoomMaster]

@@gnrrailroad1531 yeah cause when my mom once drove us the train wasnt stopping but we got out before the gates fully closed

[@chuckhermann8634]

Absolutely a great video catch capturing what could have been a disaster.

[@rail_spike_productions]

Thank you

[@MrUranium238]

That plane was a bonus😀

[@rachelredden6682]

Train video with bonus airplane footage. Nice.

[@sharondasykes2101]

That was epic

[@liamweaver2944]

In addition to being amazed by how lucky it was that a potentially devastating tragedy was avoided, I was also wowed by how much is going on at this one crossing.

[@rail_spike_productions]

For sure - never a dull moment

[@vesper0721]

I wouldn't say devastating driver had enough time to get out. but that would come out of his paycheck and his coworkers wouldn't let him live it down if he still has a job.

[@Innovator86Ed]

You captured a lot of action in this video Great job. It makes me miss SD a little bit.

[@rail_spike_productions]

Thank you. This pretty much sums up SD’s transportation in just a few minutes haha

[@AmtrakProductions]

That quad gate system probably saved the crash. The system knew something was obstructing the crossing and alerted the train so it knew to stop even before seeing the truck

[@rail_spike_productions]

Always good to see technology working the way it’s supposed to!

[@ramblerdave1339]

Didn't know there was a system that could do that.

[@Amtrakker]

No, the train was only able to stop short because it was already slowing down due to its normal operations here.

[@AmtrakFan6905]

Glad it was a good outcome. Nice filming by the way a lot of action there it seems

[@rail_spike_productions]

Absolutely! And thanks very much

[@irelandbloke]

Awesome catch ! 👍

[@lukeanakar]

train engineer did such a good job he got a flyover courtesy of alaska

[@59phonebone]

Actually that was a Southwest jet. They fly super low over San Diego to land at Lindbergh Field or whatever the airport is called now.

[@lukeanakar]

@@59phonebone it was a joke ive lived in san diego before. however that definitely was a alaska jet

[@omfgCantGetaUsername]

​@@59phoneboneIt was both Alaska, and the second one was SWA.

[@schwunkie]

So interesting!! Well filmed and entertaining as always ❤️❤️

[@rail_spike_productions]

Thank you!! That’s always my goal!

[@perfectpitchmeow7470]

@@rail_spike_productionsI love ❤️ this upload!

[@edwinsinclair9853]

What an absolute dip s__t that driver is!

[@BenMonares]

Okay but at least it didn’t cause a disaster

[@SeanPat1001]

Why?

[@SanDiegoRailfanner500]

Holy crap! Thank god the train was able to stop in time.

[@easternroutemainlinevideos6823]

Track speed thru here is 20 I think

[@rail_spike_productions]

I saw a train go through at what looked like around 30-35 the day before, but I could be a little off

[@rms492]

That Coaster at the end was surely not going 20

[@AmtrakFan6905]

@@rms492that looked like 30+

[@appleintosh]

These trains go pretty slow, and passenger trains have way better braking performance than freight trains

[@MarcelosalivaTRENESArg]

Excellent video my friends awesome 😮like 👍🏻 and Greeting 🙋

[@protosheep]

3:02 plane jumpscare

[@blose774]

Ikr,it just came out of nowhere😂

[@kc0eks]

That was insane too this video has a little bit of everything

[@blose774]

@@kc0eks definately

[@mansize6622]

Great busy little video.

[@sharondasykes2101]

Cool video love it

[@gusjones9388]

Another rocket scientist truck driver. What a dope.

[@bernardmcmahon351]

Very fortunate, good job everyone

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

excellent --jet going over was bonus!!

[@tomy.1846]

The bystander saves the day!

[@rogerespedillon5466]

1:36

[@merlinkatz9797]

yep…instead of pulling out his phone to record the crash

[@danielebrparish4271]

I assume it was the camera man.

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

"Let's build a traffic light right next to a railroad crossing and program it to turn red, blocking people on the railroad crossing as a train approaches. This is a smart idea. I went to college." Some traffic engineers, apparently.

[@frafraplanner9277]

The stop line for that traffic signal is BEFORE the crossing. Cars stopping for that red light should stop BEFORE the crossing, otherwise, continue going once you're past that line. Trucker's mistake.

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

@frafraplanner9277 Commercial drivers are trained not to run red lights (or else they could lose their jobs), so this is still a bad design. It shouldn't turn red if it detects a commercial vehicle approaching. I don't know why despite all the train/vehicle accidents (especially train/commercial vehicle accidents) that happened at this specific type of intersection, the _brilliant_ traffic engineers still think this is a good idea. Either move the intersection or don't build it to begin with.

[@KenanTurkiye]

roses are red, violets are blue there's trains and trams in my playlist two there ya go, that somehow rhymed :))

[@aircraftsandtrains2309]

I love the airplane flying over with the train underneath, . Got a like from me

[@danburch9989]

I have 18 yrs experience in traffic signal maintenance and programming. That includes peemption interconnections with railroad crossing signals. If the distance from RR crossing to the intrsection is 200 ft or less, then an interconnection is required.. Some configurations may require a longer distance. There's 250 ft between the apporach side of the tracks and the intersection stop bar. Here's the problem: Try as they may, engineers can't make traffic contorl and railraod signals idiot proof. As soon as the railroad crossing signal actrivates, some drivers will try to get across the tracks so they don't have to wait for a train to pass. There is a sign at that crossing that says "Do Not Stop On Tracks". ALL drivers should know the length of their vehicles to determine if there's room on the other side of the tracks so that they can clear to the otherside of the tracks. If not, do not cross the tracks until there is room. Damage to the crossing gate is much cheaper than the loss of the truck and it's payload. There's more to driving than steering the rig.

[@terrygraham5901]

Pretty cool glad did get hits from Indiana ❤

[@moviewatcher1239]

I'm glad that the truck driver got out of there just in time right before the train came

[@YOSILEO134]

Wowww nice videoo ❤❤❤train locomotif ❤

[@FYoutube-n8c]

The truck driver would risk everything but that guard arm. Smart

[@38911bytefree]

I was thinkin the same. Probably trying to avoid scratching the paint of the cars he was carrying.

[@MarcH0lland]

they call that a professional truck driver. Never ever stop on the tracks. be aware of your surroundings

[@gm9162]

Glad the engineer was alert and able to stop in time.

[@flashfocusbruh5144]

And this is exactly why the trains here in San Diego drive slowly instead of rapidly like in other places

[@hollisflopped]

Cough cough *MICHIGAN* cough cough

[@flashfocusbruh5144]

@@hollisflopped I see rapid speed BNSF trains in Palm Springs lol

[@hollisflopped]

@@flashfocusbruh5144 bnsf trains are nothing compared to Lawton Michigan & the northeast corridor

[@rotatorcuffs8140]

Sounds like they need a grade separation. Bridge or underpass so car traffic and trains alike won't have to stop for any reason.

[@slipknot4849]

@@rotatorcuffs8140 Did you notice the trolley passing over the intersection?

[@thelastdefenderofcamelot5623]

In Vancouver, this is very similar to the Rupert Station layout. A lot of pedestrians get hit by cars on that signal because of the hidden crosswalk. They don't know where to stop.

[@Craiggg12345]

Guess they’re letting anyone drive a truck. Sincerely a train driver. Had multiple trucks break the gates.

[@nickpatrick1636]

Pretty much

[@chrisratcliffe1736]

Thank DEI for that.

[@rj4590]

Apparently anyone with a double digit IQ can get a commercial driver license these days.

[@chickennuggetcentral576]

@@chrisratcliffe1736literally doesn’t apply here since that truck driver is white as hell. God they are just letting anyone be racist. Sincerely a “normal” person.

[@davestrang8585]

Busy place🎉

[@matthewosman412]

Thank god the truck was ok and the train was able to stop in the nick of time wow just wow 😮😮😮😮

[@alwhalen3488]

When you look at Street View you will notice the stupid placement of the traffic signal that the truck stopped for. It appears it is for traffic coming from the side street but is located after the intersection. I can see how the truck driver got a bit confused. That light should be on the other side of the tracks before the crossing signals and also should be tied to the railroad crossing circuits. This is poor planning by the traffic engineers in my opinion. Since it is a quad-gate installation I am guessing that the approaching train got an indication from the PTC system that there was an issue at the crossing, hence they were able to stop. Noting that the exit gate did not lower shows that there is obstruction detection circuitry at this crossing.

[@edwinsinclair9853]

Confused or not, you should at no time ever stop on the tracks.

[@alwhalen3488]

@@edwinsinclair9853 I agree, but with the level of 'enforcement' most truck drivers deal with it is frequently a panic reaction for a yellow light without consideration for an unusual setup like this with railroad tracks effectively in the intersection. No defense for his lack of awareness, but it is a bad configuration.

[@HydroWorldOutlookPrimary5769]

Agree. They must fix it immediately before a more severe and deadly incident (i.e. crash) has the chance to occur.

[@danburch9989]

I looked at the street view. That traiffic signal is not for the side street traffic. That one lane, right turn only movement shouldn't warrant a traffic signal unless it was politically motivated. That traffic signal is to prevent vehciles from crossing the tracks when a train is approaching and is probably controlled by the signal euipment at Kettner Blvd. There's a 9 second delay between the time the light turns yellow and the crossing signals activate. That allows any pedestrians to complete crossing the tracks before the RR signals activate. That tells me the purpose of that traffic signal.

[@alwhalen3488]

​@@danburch9989The traffic signal IS for traffic coming off of California St onto Laurel. There are signals facing California St to coincide with the ones on Laurel.

[@rpm2night]

The gates are hollow fiberglass! They break away! Stopping on the tracks is the worst thing you can do. Getting hit by a train would cause way more damage than the gate dragging along your truck or car.

[@alwhalen3488]

Actually they are part aluminum, part fiberglass. The design is the fastening point is a shear pin that will break very easily. It takes about 2 minutes to replace one if the gate is not damaged, a bit longer if the arm needs to be replaced (usually because it drops across the tracks and the train runs over it). I have fixed several of them.

[@rpm2night]

@ I’m a locomotive engineer. I don’t maintain or replace the crossing protection, but it’s still a huge benefit to my daily duties. The last thing I want to do is hit a car (again). Regardless of the build or materials, my main point of “driving through the gate will damage your car less than getting hit by the train would” still stands as my main point.

[@erie910]

Plus, if a crossing gate is broken, any subsequent trains must stop and flag the train through the crossing. This delays all train traffic until repairs are made.

[@rpm2night]

@@erie910 It’s far less of a delay than an accident investigation and cleanup.

[@pacificostudios]

Thank goodness Amtrak was slowing for a 15 MPH zone. But this trucker should have received a ticket for delaying both road and rail traffic. The engineer was kind to thank the passer-by for helping out.

[@lailasalas]

Fortunately AMTRAK Was Running At Low Speed To Apply Emergency Brake It Was Just In Its Final Leg To Santa Fe Station In A Quiet ( No Horn ) Zone

[@HydroWorldOutlookPrimary5769]

Thank goodness it got out of there safely. That was a real disaster just waiting to happen.

[@blose774]

Geez that coud have been a disaster.Glad that 770 came to a stop there.

[@celticsanster]

For lack of a better term, this is the EGOT of San Diego transportation videos -- and the hits just kept coming -- we were hollering out "Surfliner!" "Trolley south!" "Southwest!" We thought the only way this video could have been any better was to have a Naval aircraft carrier somehow cross Laurel at that point. 😅 That truck driver, tho -- wonder if his boss saw that. Kudos to the guy who held up the crossing arm!

[@PO-PANDA]

That intersection should be in a movie!

[@Scott213-fb2vf]

this video played out like a Disney movie. No insults intended

[@rajr1032]

Great video! Watching from India, where the nationwide broad-gauge rail network has manned gates (around 17,900), on road-rail crossings, and such dangerous situations are avoided. However, arround 500 un-manned (no gates!) crossings still exist on the few meter-gauge and narrow-gauge lines/tracks that are still active, and one hopes will be eliminated once these non-standard gauge lines are closed, likely by end 2025.

[@robertnorthrup1914]

Thankful for the Good Samaritan who raised the crossing arm AND the train engineer for bringing the train to a stop before plowing into the truck. I wonder if there was a station down the line and the train was intentionally slowing to stop anyway. It looked like the train slowed quite easily.

[@STUAA2025]

I've been by this crossing once, I caught a Coaster down there.

[@mashenbow6934]

Nice train

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

At least the train did not smash the semi truck.

[@Xe99]

good video

[@aaronmiller5012]

Glad that truck got out safely and the train was able to stop and wait till it was cleared. Any damage to the gate?

[@rail_spike_productions]

For sure. I did not notice any obvious damage to the gate afterwards

[@erie910]

Had there been damage to the gate, the train crew would have reported it. Then the later Coaster train would have had to stop and flag the crossing.

[@solarisplaza]

Nice video

[@rogerbouchard7135]

The traffic signal needs to be moved ahead of the train tracks to stop this from happening again.

[@patriotamerican3069]

The truck driver suppose to stop two times. First, the truck driver must have to stop on a railroad crossing regarding the status of traffic signal, second, he have to stop if the traffic signal is red. He did not make a first stop.

[@corrvptedintl.2025]

1:50 2:43 Guy in the Background did a El Grito 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

[@bethsojourner6798]

The gates break. I saw a double semi(?) Stop on the tracks at a red light. The crossing arm came down in between the two trailers. The light turned green and the driver just drove off breaking the gate. No big drama.

[@russlehman2070]

I really can't imagine what the truck driver was thinking when he pulled forward from his already dangerous position with the nose of his truck over the near track, then stopped with his truck completely obstructing both tracks. Pulling forward was the right move if he had room to clear the tracks, but no way he should have stopped where he did. It appeared that the car behind him left him room to back up, but I'm not sure the driver could see that. Backing up would be dangerous because there could be a car in a blind spot.

[@debbieannsmith8962]

Oh wow!!!

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

if the traffic lights turned red and you are on the track you don't just stop you carry on any sensible person would do that

[@globalwanderer360]

Nearly had a Darwin award there

[@wahoonbox]

Why was there a camera to begin with? It’s obviously handheld

[@MarkCinque-uq9kh]

Always Becarefull around Railroad Crossings They are Very Dangerous Always Stop!,Look!,Listen!,Live Always expect a Train Morning,Day,Evening,Night See Tracks? Think Train,1:01

[@-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-]

I was not expecting airline traffic at this intersection.

[@sharondasykes2101]

Me either

[@Outcast_-pg3mp]

They had 2 choices backup or pull forward past the train crossing

[@KevinBenecke]

The thing is, those gates should be able to tell when they can't go down all of the way and go back up until the obstruction is clear.

[@gregbell5975]

That dude can drive for me anytime, omg

[@kylebarrett4721]

Is it just the angle or does it look like there’s a traffic light aimed straight at the trains?

[@mk-jf1ux]

airport ia that close?

[@happyplayer2531]

looks like the corner of the airport property (and end of the extended runway pavement) is literally a short block behind this

[@rail_spike_productions]

@@happyplayer2531 yes, that is correct. The runway for the San Diego airport starts only a few hundred feet past where I was standing

[@MbtaVideoClips]

does coaster only have 1 line? can’t remember

[@easternroutemainlinevideos6823]

Yes

[@rail_spike_productions]

Yup only San Diego to Oceanside

[@Bassotronics]

Just break the gate and go through! Better off damaging a $200 gate than a $150,000 truck full of cars.

[@tnowandthen-t8t]

NEVER go ONTO train tracks until you are 100% certain that you can get OFF the tracks. No that doesn't mean you are certain that if that guy ahead of you moves like you expect him to that you'll be able to get off the tracks. That means that NOW you can clear the tracks.

[@myoutuber77]

Looks like this crossing is closed to vehicular traffic more often than not.

[@roboko6618]

I've seen so many videos of trucks getting hit by trains in this exact scenario it makes you wonder why they are not trained to break the gate??

[@josephbennett3482]

The trucker was honking to signal to someone to rush over and lift the barrier gate to where he could get free.

[@antoniodfreitasmartins5596]

A carreta teve várias oportunidades de atravessar antes de tocar o sinal 😮

[@RonDeJohnson]

San Diego no doubt!!!

[@ericozcan4489]

Engine 2116?

[@Wobuffet3]

lmao the random plane

[@danielshort9704]

Only in San Diego would crossing gates be installed on both sides of the tracks to control traffic only going one direction. Probably one reason why there is a $258M budget deficit.

[@P1C-jv8rj]

I had an uncle who ran a red light to get off the tracks, guess what? A cop pulled him over anyways, wow.

[@TheSoutheastTexasRailfan]

The truck driver probably thought his truck was a goner

[@robertbate5790]

Why are road traffic signals so placed as to create this situation?? Absolutely disgusting !!! Whoever authorised this crossing as safe should taken to court snd charged with deriliction of duty !!!!!

[@jamesrichardson2342]

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES....

[@kevinlombardy2388]

CDL disqual of no less than 60 days (if this is his first offense)

[@TheE71462]

Thanks to everybody,god bless…there isn’t only bad people in this sad world…

[@2119official]

It honked in a quiet zone!

[@alwhalen3488]

It's the engineer's option to sound the horn even in a quiet zone if they feel the need. With all that confusion I would do the same thing. (Unless you are referring to the truck driver, which really did no good?)

[@omfgCantGetaUsername]

You're worried about a quiet zone after what the train engineer witnessed to avoid an indecent that could've been a catastrophe? I'd rather sacrifice disturbing the peace with my horn, instead of worrying about noise complaints in my emails from the supervisors to save lives. Plus it can't get any noisier than 737s flying 100ft over your head. Lol

[@2119official]

@ I’m a railfan so I would love to hear the horn in a quiet zone ! That would be amazing

[@omfgCantGetaUsername]

@2119official Oh ok. I mistook your original comment for being disappointed instead of excitement. My bad. Lol

[@alwhalen3488]

No worries. I actually gave bad info on horn use. Once there is any type of malfunction or other issue with a crossing known to the railroad the quiet zone rule is suspended. The engineer is then required to use the horn. It's written in the railroad operating rules that way. Horn use is also required if railroad maintenance workers are doing something within quiet zone limits, and it is always the engineer's option to sound the horn if needed.

[@goclunker]

I cross that intersection many times that's Laurel Street in San Diego isn't it? Terrible street to drive on.

[@rail_spike_productions]

Yep, that’s the one !

[@kc0eks]

Lucky thst train was barely moving what a bad move by the truck driver

[@NathanBaynes]

Hi ❤

[@Cat-cf8jf]

Most People don't realize that the Guard Arms will break, but I wouldn't depend on it. Pay Attention at Crossings and don't play with what's bigger then you. !!

[@Marcuswelby-nx2te]

3:03 cool

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

If I was in your position I would’ve run across the tracks and lifted up the gate for the truck to get it clear. I see why you didn’t, but knowing that could’ve been a train crash I would’ve done anything I could.

[@BassMan5]

Trains, planes and automobiles! Seems to me, the trucker stopped on the tracks long before the train arrived...MISTAKE! If you can't make it across, do not stop on RR tracks. He needs training.

[@scotalbot]

us watching the video: the plane: "hello there"

[@scotalbot]

at 3:02 btw

[@grahamwalls9379]

Always remember that stupidity is an habitual drug . What seems obvious to us mere mortals . Is the complete opposite to an idiot .