Cars stalling on tracks - Trains Magazine

There seems to be some inference that locomotive engineers are at fault by hanging on the horn, if we think about normal reactions to situations, don't you think the engineeers emotions also go into high gear, just because your'e in a 200 ton locomotive doesn't always mean you are automatically the winner, survival instincts take over in the cab of the loco too.

But in their case, it means riding out the situation, jumping or swerving is not usually an option and the natural reaction is to throw the brakes into emergency and hang on the horn, from there on, momentum and fate take over. (been there, done that!).

Occasionally - I would class it as an accident, but generally it is through some act of stupidity or senselesness, the train driver generally has no say in the matter.

Imagine if a train stalls on the crossing and the tables are turned, do you think a motorist will keep charging on blowing his horn, no - they have the decisive choice in both situations.

Teditor