Passenger Trains > Municipal Services delay Heartland Flyer 822(28)

Temporary Hold: As of 9:45 PM CT, Train 822 is stopped north of Norman (NOR) due to local municipal services placing a hold on the tracks ahead. Local municipal officials and Amtrak personnel are dedicating their efforts to clearing the tracks and resuming service as soon as possible. A further delay of up to approx. 3 hours is anticipated. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Here's what really happened:

February 28, 2026 11:05 PM

One person dead after being hit by Train in Moore
Police say one person died after being ran over by a train in Moore Saturday night.

MOORE, Okla. -Moore police say a person died after being hit by an Amtrak train in Moore Saturday night.
The incident happened on Indian Hills Road at the railroad crossing according to officials.
The roadway will be shutdown until first responders clear the scene and the Medical Examiner
investigates the incident authorities say.

Every 18 minutes in the United States a train hits a pedestrian or vehicle Sad news for both the victims and railroad personnel

Posted from iPhone

I was en-route yesterday to conduct a funeral.  My route was blocked by a Union Pacific train.  The train was stationary, and was two long double stack trains coupled together.  Are these called 'Z' trains?  I took a fifteen minute delay finding a way around the stationary train, both to bridge over the railroad, and due to the traffic jam that the stationary train caused.  The train was at least two miles long, if not longer.  These grade crossing accidents are caused by the frantic pace of our society.  Drivers in a hurry, late, distracted by electronic devices, on drugs and alcohol, not to mention grotesque stupidity.  Sad and alarming.  But, with that said, one element that contributes to the challenge is these long barrier walls that the extreme length trains cause.  The mechanical issues, 'disabled' are common, and the delays are long.  Once a person experiences this, they are prone to try and beat the train.  Even waiting on a moving barrier wall train can cause a delay that is too long for many.  This is another example of American greed at the expense of quality of life and is one part of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not THE problem, but a contributing factor.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/26 08:59 by regalstream1516.

regalstream1516 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was en-route yesterday to conduct a funeral. 
> My route was blocked by a Union Pacific train. 
> The train was stationary, and was two long double
> stack trains coupled together.  Are these called
> 'Z' trains?  I took a fifteen minute delay
> finding a way around the stationary train, both to
> bridge over the railroad, and due to the traffic
> jam that the stationary train caused.  The train
> was at least two miles long, if not longer. 
> These grade crossing accidents are caused by the
> frantic pace of our society.  Drivers In a hurry,
> late, distracted by electronic devices, on drugs
> and alcohol, not to mention grotesque stupidity. 
> Sad and alarming.  But, with that said, one
> element that contributes to the challenge is these
> long barrier walls that the extreme length trains
> cause.  The mechanical issues, 'disabled' are
> common, and the delays a long.  Once a person
> experiences this, they are prone to try and beat
> the train.  Even waiting on a moving barrier wall
> train can cause a delay that is too long for
> many.  This is another example of American greed
> at the expense of quality of life and is one part
> of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not THE
> problem, but a contributing factor.

hear hear

regalstream1516 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is another example of American greed
> at the expense of quality of life and is one part
> of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not THE
> problem, but a contributing factor.

Funny you mention Operation Lifesaver. I am an OLAV, have been since MAy 2019. Ive been there, done it, SEEN it way too many times. I recall driver ed years ago for me. 150 kids, some fellow classmates.  Operation Lifesaver came in, showed the wort of the worst pictures. Out of 150-149 went to the bathroom and literally barfed. I was the only one that sat through the whole presentation. How was I able to do it-easy. Im a Railfan. I knew my limits, and knew exactly what I can and cannot do.  Im pretty much desentized to this, but I'll never forget September 1st, 2002 around 245 am. 

Us OLAVs are trying and doing the best we can do out there. 

Michael Fair
Royal Oak, MI

I second the motion...

regalstream1516 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was en-route yesterday to conduct a funeral. 
> My route was blocked by a Union Pacific train. 
> The train was stationary, and was two long double
> stack trains coupled together.  Are these called
> 'Z' trains?  I took a fifteen minute delay
> finding a way around the stationary train, both to
> bridge over the railroad, and due to the traffic
> jam that the stationary train caused.  The train
> was at least two miles long, if not longer. 
> These grade crossing accidents are caused by the
> frantic pace of our society.  Drivers in a hurry,
> late, distracted by electronic devices, on drugs
> and alcohol, not to mention grotesque stupidity. 
> Sad and alarming.  But, with that said, one
> element that contributes to the challenge is these
> long barrier walls that the extreme length trains
> cause.  The mechanical issues, 'disabled' are
> common, and the delays are long.  Once a person
> experiences this, they are prone to try and beat
> the train.  Even waiting on a moving barrier wall
> train can cause a delay that is too long for
> many.  This is another example of American greed
> at the expense of quality of life and is one part
> of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not THE
> problem, but a contributing factor.

Being slightly inconvenienced does not give you the right to break the law.  Stop trying to justify it. 

Typhoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> regalstream1516 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I was en-route yesterday to conduct a
> funeral. 
> > My route was blocked by a Union Pacific
> train. 
> > The train was stationary, and was two long
> double
> > stack trains coupled together.  Are these
> called
> > 'Z' trains?  I took a fifteen minute delay
> > finding a way around the stationary train, both
> to
> > bridge over the railroad, and due to the
> traffic
> > jam that the stationary train caused.  The
> train
> > was at least two miles long, if not longer. 
> > These grade crossing accidents are caused by
> the
> > frantic pace of our society.  Drivers in a
> hurry,
> > late, distracted by electronic devices, on
> drugs
> > and alcohol, not to mention grotesque
> stupidity. 
> > Sad and alarming.  But, with that said, one
> > element that contributes to the challenge is
> these
> > long barrier walls that the extreme length
> trains
> > cause.  The mechanical issues, 'disabled' are
> > common, and the delays are long.  Once a
> person
> > experiences this, they are prone to try and
> beat
> > the train.  Even waiting on a moving barrier
> wall
> > train can cause a delay that is too long for
> > many.  This is another example of American
> greed
> > at the expense of quality of life and is one
> part
> > of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not THE
> > problem, but a contributing factor.
>
> Being slightly inconvenienced does not give you
> the right to break the law.  Stop trying to
> justify it. 

I really don't think he's trying to justify such behaviour, simply explain it.

86235 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Typhoon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > regalstream1516 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I was en-route yesterday to conduct a
> > funeral. 
> > > My route was blocked by a Union Pacific
> > train. 
> > > The train was stationary, and was two long
> > double
> > > stack trains coupled together.  Are these
> > called
> > > 'Z' trains?  I took a fifteen minute delay
> > > finding a way around the stationary train,
> both
> > to
> > > bridge over the railroad, and due to the
> > traffic
> > > jam that the stationary train caused.  The
> > train
> > > was at least two miles long, if not longer. 
> > > These grade crossing accidents are caused by
> > the
> > > frantic pace of our society.  Drivers in a
> > hurry,
> > > late, distracted by electronic devices, on
> > drugs
> > > and alcohol, not to mention grotesque
> > stupidity. 
> > > Sad and alarming.  But, with that said, one
> > > element that contributes to the challenge is
> > these
> > > long barrier walls that the extreme length
> > trains
> > > cause.  The mechanical issues, 'disabled'
> are
> > > common, and the delays are long.  Once a
> > person
> > > experiences this, they are prone to try and
> > beat
> > > the train.  Even waiting on a moving barrier
> > wall
> > > train can cause a delay that is too long for
> > > many.  This is another example of American
> > greed
> > > at the expense of quality of life and is one
> > part
> > > of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not
> THE
> > > problem, but a contributing factor.
> >
> > Being slightly inconvenienced does not give you
> > the right to break the law.  Stop trying to
> > justify it. 
>
> I really don't think he's trying to justify such
> behaviour, simply explain it.

It is the same.  "Sorry officer, I shouldn't have been doing a 100mph, but I was caught in traffic".  Explain" all want, it doesn't hold water or matter. 

This.

Another example: NS has a long train that makes backup moves through an interlocking here in the second largest city in Indiana. It blocks about three crossings. They have connections btw about all their lines, including here in the city. There are other options.

Victor Baird

regalstream1516 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was en-route yesterday to conduct a funeral. 
> My route was blocked by a Union Pacific train. 
> The train was stationary, and was two long double
> stack trains coupled together.  Are these called
> 'Z' trains?  I took a fifteen minute delay
> finding a way around the stationary train, both to
> bridge over the railroad, and due to the traffic
> jam that the stationary train caused.  The train
> was at least two miles long, if not longer. 
> These grade crossing accidents are caused by the
> frantic pace of our society.  Drivers in a hurry,
> late, distracted by electronic devices, on drugs
> and alcohol, not to mention grotesque stupidity. 
> Sad and alarming.  But, with that said, one
> element that contributes to the challenge is these
> long barrier walls that the extreme length trains
> cause.  The mechanical issues, 'disabled' are
> common, and the delays are long.  Once a person
> experiences this, they are prone to try and beat
> the train.  Even waiting on a moving barrier wall
> train can cause a delay that is too long for
> many.  This is another example of American greed
> at the expense of quality of life and is one part
> of the Operation Lifesaver challenge.  Not THE
> problem, but a contributing factor.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/26 16:53 by wabash2800.

Typhoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Being slightly inconvenienced does not give you
> the right to break the law.  Stop trying to
> justify it. 

True, but this totally ignores reality. And just telling people to stop doing it doesn't work either, as can be seen time and again unfortunately. Few railfans try to justify or condone it, but we know that's what people do because of the frustration. This issue is complex, and has gotten much worse with societal factors like pace of life, but also the railroads' own contribution to the problem with long, slow trains that most folks still aren't used to. Years ago the railroads cared more about breakdowns and had much more staff on hand to fix mechanical problems but not now, and doubling or tripling the length of trains while slowing the speed hasn't helped. To me, everybody involved needs to do better, individuals, communities and railroads included...

JG

I don't have any problem with the longer or slower trains. So many ways to cross at a different place if they are stopped. 15 minutes waiting for a slow roller, no problem I have patience. Others don't and firmly believe all trains take hours to pass, and do it on purpose. The ones that pound the dash, throw their morning coffee in the floor, yelling with windows up and usually left the house 30 minutes late anyway. If it wasn't the train it was something else causing their delay.

Posted from Android

dcfbalcoS1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So many ways to cross at a
> different place if they are stopped.

Congratulations. However, for many locations, that is simply not true.

If the issue is public safety at a limited number of crossings (ambulances blocked by slow or stopped trains, etc) that seems like an issue the muni / county / state govt shd be focused on.  If the issue is the railroad choosing one alternative which affects many motorists over another which affects few, I'd say Kick Their Butts.

Three years ago Florida East Coast discontinued their daily Fort Pierce to Port of Palm Beach turn job which delivered and picked up at the port. And replaced it with a stop by their road job 109. At 8 in the morning. For 45 minutes to an hour. Blocking 4 crossings and two major highways. Uproar ensued.

The railroad held firm for about two weeks, then folded. And restored the turn job under immense pressure.

jgilmore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Typhoon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Being slightly inconvenienced does not give you
> > the right to break the law.  Stop trying to
> > justify it. 
>
> True, but this totally ignores reality. 

TO "reality", someone gets hit by BrightLine, "stupid Florida drivers", someone gets hit by Amtrak in flyover country, "it's a frustrated driver "....