Passenger Trains > Amtrak Safety Issue!

Watching the Ashland Virginia web cam this morning around 725am the Silver Meteor almost slaughtered a few passengers who crossed the tracks right in front of it thinking it was a regional train that was 10 minutes behind it. This is the second time in 2 months I have seen this. Amtrak must either not stop trains in Ashland but if they do they must provide safe guidance for those people who simply think the train is stopping and walk in front of it.

I know Amtrak monitors this sight so if they didn't know of this unsafe issue they do now!

Thanks

Is there not markings on the platform that says stay behind yellow line? Theres no excuse for anyone to ignore those warnings. It is not Amtraks fault if people choose to walk into the path of an oncoming train.

Sooo...at what point do people become responsible for their own safety?

Maybe there should be a crossing guard available to hold everyone's hand.

Ashland is of course unstaffed, so it's up to the passengers to figure it out on their own. Some of them aren't quite up to the task. Sometimes the town cops show up to dissuade "late crossers" from legging it across the tracks at the last second.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

You would think on the busiest travel day of the year there would be someone there directing people who probably take the train once a year. The regional trains stop at Ashland on track 1 or 2 with no rhyme or reason so that causes confusion. Seriously speaking you need to look at the video and you will see 3 or 4 people almost getting run over by the Meteor. Amtrak has the means to put up electronic signage that would direct people to the right track and this should be something they need to consider before agreeing to stop at an unmanned place like Ashland.

There are also four or five foot crossings in the area. They're official, but lack warning devices or gates.

Posted from Android

Warning lights and gates are important especially in urban areas having high traffic. It is a well-known fact that many people are not very bright or aren't situationally aware. (Walking zombies, beatniks and texters included).

If crossings do not have such devices, the municipalities and railroads should make a plan to install them. Safety awareness and action is never a waste of time or money.

Train speed is already limited to 35mph through town. No horns sounded (unless needed), just the locomotive bell. Crossings at each end of the station with lights gates and bells provide ample warning.


Michael

yooperfan Wrote:
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> One issue at Ashland is with two mains a passenger
> doesn't know what side of the tracks to stand on
> until they see the train.

Having been at Ashland a few times, I've wondered why there isn't an automated alert or PA announcement. "Train 91, now arriving on track 2" or something like that. "Stand back from the yellow line, this train ain't stopping", as needed.

Run an engine for a week, then talk to me about it.


amtrakbill Wrote:
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> Seriously speaking you need to look at the video
> and you will see 3 or 4 people almost getting run
> over by the Meteor. Amtrak has the means to put
> up electronic signage that would direct people to
> the right track and this should be something they
> need to consider before agreeing to stop at an
> unmanned place like Ashland.

Let's not list every platform that has this problem, so many do, be it Amtrak or commuter.

Some of it can be improved by management doing, but the remaining only by education at home and in the school starting at 2 years old !

Setandcentered Wrote:
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> Sooo...at what point do people become responsible
> for their own safety?
>
> Maybe there should be a crossing guard available
> to hold everyone's hand.


Agreed. You can’t fix stupid. -as in walking in front of a moving train.

They have a system on the Hiawatha corridor where the conductor does an announcement via phone or radio, and it is transmitted to the PA speakers at Sturtevant, telling passengers which platform the train is coming in on.