New TollNZ Campaign - Level Crossing Safety

**Edbear** · 17th July 2007, 11:01

Originally Posted by terbang

Humber Super Snipe on a level crossing back in the late 60's. She got pushed 1/4 of a mile down the track when a train came along! They repaired the car.

But had to write off the train....

**imdying** · 17th July 2007, 11:06

Originally Posted by terbang

Gee last time I flew a glider it didn't have an engine...

That's why it was a glider, not a plane... how did this glider get into the air in the first place?

**ynot slow** · 17th July 2007, 11:11

Went over said crossing on Saturday at about 10.45am approx,saw a train at siding and saw couple of toll utes abd a photographer.Said to wife the steam train must be due here soon,as thought they were waiting to take pictures of steam train excursion that day.
Didn't even look that a fatal had happened about 2-3 hours prior,the sun was high when we came to crossing,but for christ sake it says 25km at bend,only reason the driver wouldn't have stopped was sunstrike,but shit the train must have been so close to hear the horns.
Even allowing for sun no 1 rule is stop and observe if in doubt.

I lived in part of town which has main railline go accross busy intersection,time and time the bells would go and no train would arrive,then you cross at your own perill.The railway corp then cut down from two tracks to one,alarm bells would still go off now and again,this time though,you could look towards station and if a train was on the line and shunting,either you crossed or the rail workers would wave you on.If on the other case there was no train at station ,you would just wait as chances were a train would be coming from the south and with a corner about 100mts it would be onto you quickly,the train doing say 60-70km and you stopped,by time you tryed to cross history.

**terbang** · 17th July 2007, 11:17

Originally Posted by imdying

That's why it was a glider, not a plane... how did this glider get into the air in the first place?

They are very much a plane with wings, tail and 3 axis control. Handled like a plane and was winched into the air with a cable. So then a Boeing 737 must loose its status of being a plane when it starts it's descent as we close the engines back to Idle at 37000' and 100 plus miles out and continue to our destination in a glide.

**WarlockNZ** · 17th July 2007, 11:23

Originally Posted by Edbear

One must balance expediency and right and law, against the consequences of failure. I don't like pain, and do like living, so those two factors tend to influence how I drive/ride.

i couldn't have put it better myself.

**more_fasterer** · 17th July 2007, 11:26

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned Gene-O-Kleen so far...

I'd rather have a myopic idiot failing to see (and subsequently colliding with) a train than my bike.

**MSTRS:Me** · 17th July 2007, 11:32

Originally Posted by more_fasterer

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned Gene-O-Kleen so far...

I'd rather have a myopic idiot failing to see (and subsequently colliding with) a train than my bike.

Would you? In the normal scheme of things, it would be you that driver didn't see...

**imdying** · 17th July 2007, 11:40

Originally Posted by terbang

So then a Boeing 737 must loose its status of being a plane when it starts it's descent as we close the engines back to Idle at 37000' and 100 plus miles out and continue to our destination in a glide.

If you eject the engines before descent, then yes.

**WarlockNZ** · 17th July 2007, 11:45

A 737 can glide .. well holy crap ... you learn something everyday

**Edbear** · 17th July 2007, 12:01

Originally Posted by WarlockNZ

A 737 can glide .. well holy crap ... you learn something everyday

Nah, they just fall a bit slower than a 747...

**WarlockNZ** · 17th July 2007, 12:09

Originally Posted by Edbear

Nah, they just fall a bit slower than a 747...

LOL .. classic ...

Now back on topic ...

While i do sympathise with all the family's of those killed on level crossings, I am going to have to invoke the "*Darwin awards" rule on this one.

* People who, through there own stupid actions, remove themselves from the gene pool.

**Toaster** · 17th July 2007, 12:22

The opening comments about the UK having bridges and underpasses and comparing it to little wee NZ having only level-crossings.... hmmm, well it is a bit easier to pay for bridges and underpasses when you have a population as high as the UK. Little NZ does what it can with total population the size of an average city in England.

**Hitcher** · 17th July 2007, 12:29

Deaths still happen on crossings that have barrier arms. Most notably when motorists drive around the ends of them.

I can see why there are no barrier arms at Ohingaiti -- they would make bugger all difference, given the nature of the crossing.

Please let's not have a kneejerk reaction to this that results in the passing of some new dumb law, like microchipping trains.