Noted in passing: Always expect a train

[kinzel]

Man seeks reward for stupidity:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08312008/news/regionalnews/zapped_amtrak_trespasser_sues_126902.htm

In other news:

http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=8e637cb2-d28a-4141-81c6-ccf807950f18

http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8887988&nav=menu1344_2

Note -- it appears that people are being killed in train-car incidents almost daily. Please do not try to outrun a train to the gate, do not walk on the railroad tracks, do not go swimming from railway bridges, and don't climb on trains. Really.

Comments

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

And today's special wakeup call for someone...

You would think that two tracks would imply the possibility of two trains? Right? So when you get off one, and walk around the back of it to *jaywalk* across the tracks? Perhaps it might be sensible to look to your right for an oncoming? Or maybe it would be better to look ahead and to your left, in a direction that no possible hazard could come from. Or listen for the bell or whistle of an oncoming car? Not that either!

Luckily for him, I assume pedestrians are suicidal, so I was slowing to avoid him before I could see him...also, I had pointed out to my passengers what he was likely to do...so they could appreciate his little jump of surprise when he finally looked around and saw (the smaller car in my icon) a couple dozen feet away, nearly stopped.

Two tracks = possibility of two trains, and in some locations, two trains going the same direction, not necessarily at the same speed.

I know that Caltrain has gotten at least one pedestrian that way...walked around the pedestrian crossing gates and the back of the train he just go off, and got hit by the express that was passing his train...even though he would have had full view (to the left) of the oncoming train, not to mention the clearly audible (!!!!) horn.