Taken to task

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Would seem a reasonable accommodation in this information-overloaded age might be for the list to run a notice that said photos of this or that were available and interested parties could contact the offerer directly.

Andre Jackson and/or Lisa Burrows
Life is short; update your anti-virus software
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
  To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
  Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 10:42 AM
  Subject: Taken to task


  It would seem that I have been taken to task for the photos of the collision in Chilhowie, that is fine I have thick skin.  I would like to point out a couple of things however.

  First off, there were no deaths or even serious injuries in this collision, if there had been, then I wouldn't have posted, or even taken any pictures of the collision for that matter.  Second, I spoke with NS personal at the site of the collision about taking some pictures before I did so, and they had no problems with it, granted, this permission was not from the legal giants that run NS from the top these days, but it did take into account what people at the scene said.

  Another thing to be considered is that these photos prove just one thing to anyone with a critical eye, the railroad was NOT at fault.  The cab of the truck had clearly stopped ON the crossing, also the gates and warning lights WERE clearly working.  Most importantly though, it also shows that the crew did a remarkable job in getting the train stopped as quickly and safely as they did.  This would seem to also prove the point that they were NOT traveling at excessive speed.

  Despite the fact that we seem to live in the United States of the Easily Offended anymore, these pictures do serve an important purpose.  They drive home the point that when a train and a vehicle/person are involved in a grade crossing accident, the vehicle will always be the loser.  This is something that I do not think can be driven home enough, people need to think, and be careful, regardless if we are just crossing the tracks going to work, or out rail fanning.  My personal belief is, that short of extraordinary circumstances, if a vehicle/person is hit at a grade crossing, the vehicle is ALWAYS at fault.

  As to dial up, I clearly noted in the first email about the collision, that there were several pictures, and it would NOT be 56k friendly.  This is the reason that I put the picture attachments in two SEPARATE emails that were not included with the original information.  This was done with the expressed intention so that people with dial up had the option NOT to even open the ones with attachments in the first place. 

  Lastly, but most importantly, this was NEVER intended to go to the N&W list in the first place.  When I went to send this information, I was going to send it to my friends in the address folder, specifically friends in my train related address folder.  Both the N&W and Virginian forums were also listed within a sub-folder in this folder, this was an oversight on my part, sometimes you have to take time to remember who your fiends are.

  Jerry Hammond



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