Pedestrian vs. Train: KL & 11th in Kalamazoo

[Bluewater]

A sad end to a family's thanksgiving celebrations:

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) An Amtrak train has been involved in a fatal crash in Kalamazoo County. The crash happened in Oshtemo Township at 11th Street and KL Avenue around 3:30 pm Wednesday. A pedestrian walking along the tracks was fatally struck by the train. The train was heading west towards Chicago, traveling about 70 miles an hour, picking up speed as it headed out of Kalamazoo. The engineer told police he was doing everything he could to alert the pedestrian, but those efforts did not work. The train has since moved and that area is no longer blocked.

Read More at: http://www.wwmt.com/shared/news/fea...atal-crash-involving-amtrak-train-16102.shtml


Condolences to the train crew for having to go through that and to the family for their loss.

However, a question pops up from this: According to sources in the video, the train was moving at 70 MPH....a bit fast for city limits?

 

[Engineerkenny]

that's sad :'( R.I.P to the person that was struck I wonder if one of my uncles who works for Amtrak would know about this even though he works on the NEC I might be wrong I think its just somewhere on the NJ not as an engineer I don't think

 

[kws4000]

Amtrak has 110mph from Kzoo to Niles, and eventually to Porter IN. 70mph leaving the built-up area is very likely appropriate, having seen 110 signs in front of Western Michigan University's campus.

Yes, WMU is right next to HrSR. But that doesn't make it the best choice in education. Reasons being 1) No railroad program. 2) See 1.

 

[ColPrice2002]

Over here the speed limit is not related to the area, just the technical limits of the track.
The speed limit through our station is 30mph, only because of the points and small box section. Elsewhere it's 70+.
Some of the stations on the intercity lines have the express through at 90mph.

However, we don't have access to the track from crossings - the crossing is flanked by "ankle breakers" and the track is fenced off.

Colin

 

[cascaderailroad]

There also was an Amtrak derailment, I believe it was in NC, just the other day, but all the cars and locos remained somewhat upright.