Train wins!!
It was not *hit* by the train, though Mike thinks it was because of how tweaked up the prism holder is.
I was locating the rails and had the prism set up on a tie about 1.5' O/S of the east rail. I had already shot the north end of the line and had two more shots to take for a good alignment of the main line.
After setting up the rod tripod etc, I drove back to where the gun was for the shot. As I got to the gun I heard this rumbling from the north. I knew exactly what it was and just stood by and watched what would happen. I was over 900 feet from the tracks, so trying to get to the prism setup, running or driving, would just be a waste of time.
There were two tracks running N/S parallel with 156 at the Town of Ponder. The southbound train was on the east line, the assembly was on the west line (original main line) which was about 15 feet away. I thought I may actually have a chance that the train would pass and maybe the prism would just get blown over.
No such luck 😛
When the train finally passed, it was a long long train, the prism just was not there.
So, I get in the van and drive to the tracks and see the prism laying on the west rail of the east set of tracks at an angle to the tracks. I believe that the setup was OK until the train finished passing and then it just sucked the setup to it's southbound end.
Here are some pics of the prism setup, post train encounter....
I think some of the assembly is salvageable. Mike, on the other hand, says it's perfect for the guys surveying in East or West Texas.
Just needs a little love...
Call me crazy, but why didn't you pull an offset for that shot?:bad:
I know you're old enough to know how to use a plumb bob.
[flash width=640 height=385] http://www.youtube.com/v/ugjs-mr_2s4&hl=en_US&fs=1 [/flash]
[flash width=480 height=385] http://www.youtube.com/v/XiOFPXvVpwY&hl=en_US&fs=1 [/flash]
[flash width=480 height=385] http://www.youtube.com/v/pw_bnS-qcds&hl=en_US&fs=1 [/flash]
At about 6:35 you can hear the boom.
The "vacuum effect" made it follow the train.
BTW, that is the reason why we do not have high speed rails in the USA. With the present location of the rail system, it would not be safe for the public.
"I was locating the rails and had the prism set up on a tie about 1.5' O/S of the east rail."
A 1.5' o/s is still on the track.
Why not a 20' o/s?
I believe a person can be convicted of trespassing when they are 10' or less from a track, at least here in Louisiana.
Working by yourself on a rail line is just plain stupid and I don't care what part of the country you are in.
At a minimum, one person should be a lookout.
I wonder how many surveyors have been killed by trains.
I can think of two, one of them by name, within the last 15 years.
I had to do an 8 hour safety class to work at a hump yard and you could not pay me enough to get on a rail line by myself.
Chill Dan...dont get all worked up over nothing OK
PS I was solo
Paul,
You did have a permit from the transit system, correct? Because I am sure that you are aware that encroaching on a railroad r/w without a permit is going to get you in trouble with the railroad police. They do not play, trust me on this.
Out of curiousity, what Rail was it?
Paul
PS I was solo
Well, I don't want to call you stupid, because I like you, but hey, if the shoe fits...
Hopefully you will still be wearing them when you get hit by a train.
PS., write your name on the inside of your shoe, from the looks of your photo there will be a lot of blood and guts on the rail and your name on the inside of your shoe will help them figure out who got killed.
PSS, Anyone who gets on a rail by themselves is stupid and so is the owner of the company that lets them.
Paul, don't answer that question.
Train accident kills four children
Less than one month ago, about ten miles north of where we live.
Dan
Well, I don't want to call you stupid, because I like you, but hey, if the shoe fits...
Then why did you?
Dan..do you think I really care if a train splatters me all over Texas..do you?
Dan
You might not, but your children and grandchildren might.
Sorry stupid, but I would rather you hate my guts then hear about yours on the front of a train.
GS
Out of curiousity, what Rail was it?
Ohh..well..it was the one the train was on Georgia :-X
Dan
Ok, as you wish Dan..
Stupid Paul
I am hoping it is one of the two letter class I rails.
Seriously, you have to go through an 8 hour safety training to be allowed near the track. And, to allow you to have access over a section of track they must lock that section out, not allowing any trains in that section of road. That is why the permit is required.
The railroad does not want to pay your next of kin for your untimely death.
Paul, rail is short for railroad. Sorry, slang from the job.
My bet, is that if it was not a minor rail that it was BNSF or the UP.
