~Once is an Mistake | Twice is a Decision~
For the second time in less than a year, neary identical incidents have occured at this crossing on the Westlock Subdivision. On Tuesday, a super-b loaded with lumber struck the side of the trailing unit on 419, sending lumber flying, and causing the passenger of the truck to be airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The highway was closed until the next morning, causing traffic to take a backroad detour. One of the vehicles managed to hit the ditch next to the already narrow crossing, causing even more of a headache for an already messy situation. The train was split at the crossing for clean up purposes, and the head end was pulled up to the next couple of crossings to remove the mangled debris on the side of CN 5677. This incident was eerily similar to one last spring, when a loaded super-b of grain slammed into the side of a train at this exact crossing. On that day, fog played a large role, but this time around, it was a clear, sunny day. The only thing I could think of would be reduced visibility due to glare, but no cause has been released.
This just goes to show that no matter the weather, anything can happen. Any time is train time, even on lines like these where only two or three trains a day is common. Always use extra caution around railroad crossings, because this is proof that a train always wins - even against a ~140,000 lb semi.
Photos posted with permission from first responders.
Train ID:
CN A41951 (Northbound Mixed Freight)
CN Westlock Subdivision
Locomotives:
CN C44-9W 2543
CN SD75I 5677
DJI Mini 4 Pro
January 7th - 4:48 PM MT
~Once is an Mistake | Twice is a Decision~
For the second time in less than a year, neary identical incidents have occured at this crossing on the Westlock Subdivision. On Tuesday, a super-b loaded with lumber struck the side of the trailing unit on 419, sending lumber flying, and causing the passenger of the truck to be airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The highway was closed until the next morning, causing traffic to take a backroad detour. One of the vehicles managed to hit the ditch next to the already narrow crossing, causing even more of a headache for an already messy situation. The train was split at the crossing for clean up purposes, and the head end was pulled up to the next couple of crossings to remove the mangled debris on the side of CN 5677. This incident was eerily similar to one last spring, when a loaded super-b of grain slammed into the side of a train at this exact crossing. On that day, fog played a large role, but this time around, it was a clear, sunny day. The only thing I could think of would be reduced visibility due to glare, but no cause has been released.
This just goes to show that no matter the weather, anything can happen. Any time is train time, even on lines like these where only two or three trains a day is common. Always use extra caution around railroad crossings, because this is proof that a train always wins - even against a ~140,000 lb semi.
Photos posted with permission from first responders.
Train ID:
CN A41951 (Northbound Mixed Freight)
CN Westlock Subdivision
Locomotives:
CN C44-9W 2543
CN SD75I 5677
DJI Mini 4 Pro
January 7th - 4:48 PM MT