Congratulations to Mick for having the balls to make the first photo submission:
Personally, I like it. The figure on the front porch of the loco is a great touch.
I am curious, Mick; What will be your choice of JointedRail payware, if you win?
(Be sure and see the Photo Submission thread at the GAURC Forum!)
Special thanks to long-time member and forum moderator DAPeterson for pointing us to this interesting video of the luckiest (and quickest) Track Inspector in the world…
GAUX Adds: Anyone else old enough to remember the game “Frogger“?
Andy Alm has a fantastic skill… Very entertaining to watch!
Some of you may remember a news report I wrote back in March 2009 about the business practices of Trainz Eastern Routes (TER) and the morale character of its founder and CEO, John Bethuy (Grogstop65)…
I am happy to report to you that a new TER fansite, called Trainz Eastern Route.com, is quickly growing in popularity. Notice that the new site is singular, not plural as is the original website.
Trainz veterans and newcomers can find useful information about TER and its management that could be considered critical to making intelligent decisions about pursuing one’s hobby.
There is also a nice forum for exchanging experiences, ideas and thoughts related to John Bethuy’s business.
It is a mature, honest outlet for sharing information about a member of the Trainz Community wishing to do business with you or possibly your children.
GAUX Adds: This site is definitely recommended reading for Trainz hobbyists… decide for your yourself.
Watch this, if you dare.
Comments on where the situation went bad?
GAUX Vote: “and then mommy let go…”
The 6 month old child survived with barely a bump on the head.
What are the odds, you might ask? This video proves it is possible…
If you happen to be on a moving freight train that takes a direct hit from a tornado; follow these easy steps:
1) Thank your higher-power for a seat in the locomotive.
2) Beg for non-flammables in the tank car headed up your butt!
Many thanks to Stian Storengen from Norway, who sent this link to me; it is definately worth sharing!
I’m a Firefighter and Paramedic, so it is difficult for me not to be critical of this railroad accident scene in Croatia. I understand they do things differently there, so I’m going to keep my mouth shut about that; However, it clearly demonstrates that danger doesn’t stop once emergency services arrive.
I have no clue what the news reporter is saying, and I hope the commercial in the beginning is as entertaining as the one I got to see… keep your wits about you, and your eye on the ball:
New video of last Saturday’s (July 18 2009) collision between two Muni trains was released Wednesday, showing images that a Muni spokesman described as “flat-out disturbing.”
The video of the accident from cameras mounted inside the West Portal Muni station where the accident took place Saturday afternoon just before 3 p.m.
A K-Train had just unloaded passengers and was stopped waiting for the signal to exit the tunnel. Right behind it, an L-Train keeps coming and coming until the violent impact.
Passengers on the platform seem initially shocked at the collision, but then approach the train seemingly to check on the passengers.
A Muni spokesman said the video is hard to watch.
"It’s flat out disturbing to see one train hit another like that", said agency spokesman Judson True.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators said the video is part of their examination into what happened and why. The crash sent four people to the hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. 43 others were less seriously injured.
The investigation could take up to a year, according to the NTSB.
The driver of the L-Train, 61-year-old Henry Gray, told authorities he blacked out moments before the collision.
Investigators said before losing consciousness, Gray switched the train controls from automatic to manual, which is against Muni protocols.
But Muni drivers said it is a common practice to save time. Muni officials have since issued an edict.
"What we have done since Saturday is reinforce the existing rule about not switching to manual without notifying central control," said Muni spokesman True. "We’ve done that through bulletins to all operators."
This was one of a number of guidelines Muni implemented Monday aimed at increasing safety in the wake of the West Portal station crash.
Train operators will be written up if they are observed in manual, or cutout, mode without authorization from central control.
Additionally, if a train is seen moving in manual control without central control permission, the train controller will stop the train and contact its operator. Hourly announcements started Monday to remind operators that they must not go into manual mode or bypass any vehicle function, or change operating modes, without approval from central control.
Also on Monday, a bulletin was issued to light rail vehicle operators to remind them of existing rules and instructions regarding the changing of operating modes.
Supervisors at the Embarcadero, Church and Duboce and West Portal stations have also been alerted of the enforcement regarding the changing of operating modes.
"These quick actions show that we will take all necessary steps to make the system as safe as possible," said True.
The accident could be an expensive one for the city given the number of injured passengers. Muni can expect lawsuits. The agency has paid out over $60 million to injured passengers over the past seven years.
Christopher Dolan, a San Francisco attorney who has frequently represented clients in lawsuits against Muni, said the injured passengers have a strong case.
"Somebody who transports people for money has the highest duty of care," said Dolan. "Turning off a safety mechanism for expediency breaches any duty of care."
This video of the crash will likely play a role in the lawsuits that are sure to come.
As if all this wasn’t enough, there is speculation that the L-train was exceeding the speed limit.
GAUX Adds: Let this be a lesson; It only takes one epic-failure to screw-up the party for the whole staff.
There is a good chance fares will increase to pay for settlements to the victims…
Here is an idea that will counter the increase, and guarantee trains remain in automatic mode:
Fire all the drivers… Problem solved!
A monorail accident early Sunday morning killed a train operator at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., according to emergency officials.
One train rear-ended another at about 2 a.m. EDT on the EPCOT track near the Disney World parking lot as people were leaving the park following a Fourth of July fireworks show, witnesses told local cable-TV news channel Central Florida News 13.
Bo Jones, deputy chief for Reedy Creek Fire Department, says one train operator died at the scene of the crash.
The other train operator was not injured, but was taken to a hospital because he was emotionally shaken. Five park guests were treated at the scene.
"Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow Cast Member. Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker," read a statement from Walt Disney World Vice President of Public Affairs Mike Griffin.
"The safety of our guests and Cast Members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service as we continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and the appropriate next steps."
Jones says it is unclear what caused the crash. Orange County Sheriff’s officials and the NTSB are investigating the cause.
About a dozen guards wearing blue Disney security uniforms guarded the monorail station Sunday morning and prevented visitors from approaching the area.
Ethan Meus, who was visiting the theme park from Dubuque, Iowa, said he and his family took the monorail to dinner at a resort hotel Saturday night.
Meus, 17, watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the monorail on the way back to his hotel, he said, and didn’t notice any problems with the train.
"It’s pretty shocking to hear that a driver was killed in that accident," Meus said.
The family was planning to take the train again Sunday to visit Disney’s EPCOT Center, but now planned to take a bus, Meus added.
"You would think it would be so safe," said 20-year-old Lauren Shoebottom, who was visiting the park from London. "You don’t expect it on holiday, do you?"
According to Central Florida News 13, it was the first fatal accident in the Disney World monorail’s 38 years of operation.
According to MyFoxOrlando, Disney World has 12 monorail trains, each with 6 cars traveling the 14.7 miles of elevated rail throughout the complex.
"It’s a bit shocking," said 22-year-old Danielle Williams, of London. "Disney seems so perfect."
I present for your inspection, the crash scene that sets the theme of the story in the 2007 film, Rails & Ties…
This movie marks the directorial debut of Alison Eastwood, the daughter of Clint Eastwood. The film stars Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden and was written by Micky Levy.
My question is this:
Why the hell wouldn’t they put the train into emergency the moment they realized the track was fouled? Doesn’t “They did what they were supposed to, but still couldn’t stop in time” make just as good a story?
: Been on holiday for a while now, but we are still here!
: Registerd members, I encourage you to write graffiti on this wall!
: Been working much, no time for hobby lately.
: I added Forum comments and finally got Translate working again.
: Sorry for the multiple email on the last post... my bad.
: I got April's movie page posted.
: I'll get the April Movie feature posted right off... Any requests?
: Don't know why, but this Sunday wound-up as 'Free Download Day'!
: Comments on the John Bethuy story have been closed.
: Hey readers, don't be shy with the rating system!
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