close call

ff to 6.30 if you don't want to watch what is a nice video...

 

That was close to say the least....

 

I was waiting for the camera to move to the other side of the train to show the mangled tractor, seems it didn't happen.

 

After what happened on the RH&D a couple of years ago, you'd think the message would sink in. Thanks for posting, even if to "Like" the clip seems somewhat inappropriate in this instance.

 

I hope the tractor driver can be prosecuted for endangering the lives of the locomotive crew and the passengers.

 

According to the comments on Youtube the farmer immediately stopped and phone the railway to apologise - the clip is over 7 years old!

 

Flippin 'eck....

 

I wonder if they'll fit the locos with 'dashcams' to catch idiots like that?

 

So why didn't the loco crew sound the whistle? Either at the crossing in question, when they must have been able to see the tractor (unless they weren't keeping a good lookout), or at the crossing before that?

 

The behaviour of car drivers is truly irrational.
Last summer we had a close call (in Mariefred, Sweden, 600 mm gauge). One car had crossed our railway and stopped at the intersection right after. The following car stopped on the crossing waiting. A train was approaching and the bell alarm sounded for a good while before the barriers started to go down. Obviously both car drivers were totally petrified, none of them moved their vehicles, the first one could drive to the side to let the second pass or the second one could have backed off the crossing. After the barriers had gone down the driver "trapped" between the barriers stepped out and tried to lift the barrier. The barriers are made of thin wooden planks and are designed to be driven through if you become stuck in between. This is taught in driving school, but seems like everyone totally forget about it afterwards (there could be scratches in the paint of your car!).
The train managed, just barely, to stop in time. Note, we have no continuous train brake system, thus good and vigilant action from loco crew, brakesman and guard.