Miniature Train T-Bones Car

[bill937ca]

An amusement park train in Houston t-boned a car after coming around a sharp curve.

 

 

Houston Chronicle Story

 

 

[cteno4]

wow guess the car catcher worked! 

 

jeff

[bill937ca]

I wonder what the reaction of the driver was. Its the little train that CAN!  And that take THAT car!      

[bill937ca]

What I find hard to believe is the configuration of this grade crossing.  The angle of the curve indicates that the train was running parallel to the road behind a  row of park cars. So as the engineer approached the crossing his view was obstructed and he probably did not see the car until the train was coming around the curve.  Imagine designing a prototype railway this way!!!          

[kvp]

  Imagine designing a prototype railway this way!!!

This seems like a pretty standard configuration in many parts of the world. For example in japan, there are 120 km/h suburban lines with zero crossing visibility because of the two rows of houses that line the railroad tracks and the sharp turns in the line. The train driver would only see the crossing within about 15-20 meters (less than 1 second at line speed) and can't see anything outside the gates until about 10 meters. So anyone not watching for the train would certainly get hit. The same no visibility crossing can be seen on the odakyu odawara line just outside Shinjuku station and then along the line. (at least in the past this was common on cab view videos)

 

The train on the video can be heard braking right after the curve, but can't really do much to avoid the car.

[katoftw]

the boom gates are down and the car is in the wrong place.  by the time the engineer realises the car isn't gonna move, it's too late.  probably was waiting for a parking space to free up when the boom gate came down, then became stuck.  explain that one to your insurance company that you stopped in a clearway zone. lol

[Kabutoni]

Here comes the liability train! Choo-choo!

 

[katoftw]

Super Express to Courtroom 4.

[bill937ca]

This seems like a pretty standard configuration in many parts of the world. For example in japan, there are 120 km/h suburban lines with zero crossing visibility because of the two rows of houses that line the railroad tracks and the sharp turns in the line. The train driver would only see the crossing within about 15-20 meters (less than 1 second at line speed) and can't see anything outside the gates until about 10 meters. So anyone not watching for the train would certainly get hit. The same no visibility crossing can be seen on the odakyu odawara line just outside Shinjuku station and then along the line. (at least in the past this was common on cab view videos)

 

The train on the video can be heard braking right after the curve, but can't really do much to avoid the car.

 

No comparison at all. The Japanese railways have far more sophisticated detection systems with intrusion detection for vehicles.  The park railway is probably just a gate and warning lights. The lawyers will have a field day with this and sue everybody in sight.  Park board, train operator, car owner.  Welcome to the US!

Edited January 26, 2014 by bill937ca