Tragic Train
On December 19, 1987, Southern Pacific assembled an Alturas Turn to run down the Modoc Line and switch out the Great Western interchange. When the crew got on the train, they called the dispatcher and requested authority to wye their power at Texum, the Modoc's junction with the Shasta Route. They were concerned about not operating with a visible oscillating headlight. Permission to make the move was denied, and the train departed for Alturas.
I caught the train at Stukel siding. About a half hour later at Copic siding, two duck hunters drove their car into a grade crossing right in front of the train. Both were killed. After the requisite investigation by law enforcement, a new crew was called to complete the job. They only made a few hundred yards of progress toward Alturas when the train derailed.
Ouch.
Tragic Train
On December 19, 1987, Southern Pacific assembled an Alturas Turn to run down the Modoc Line and switch out the Great Western interchange. When the crew got on the train, they called the dispatcher and requested authority to wye their power at Texum, the Modoc's junction with the Shasta Route. They were concerned about not operating with a visible oscillating headlight. Permission to make the move was denied, and the train departed for Alturas.
I caught the train at Stukel siding. About a half hour later at Copic siding, two duck hunters drove their car into a grade crossing right in front of the train. Both were killed. After the requisite investigation by law enforcement, a new crew was called to complete the job. They only made a few hundred yards of progress toward Alturas when the train derailed.
Ouch.