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  Discussion on Trailer Warning
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Member:
Canter

Posted on Friday, Sep 1, 2006 - 8:17 pm:

Hi everyone,
I just received my September issue of Practical Horseman and found the following horrifying article. Thought I'd pass it on:

From Practical Horseman/Sept 06:

A pickup truck pulling a horse trailer enters a railroad crossing. The truck passes safely over the tracks, but the trailer gets stuck. The truck wheels spin uselessly in loose dirt as the driver tries desperately to free the trailer. With a freight train bearing down on the stranded rig, the driver & his helper jump out of the truck and stand clear. The train plows into the trailer, dragging it about 100 yards down the tracks and killing one of two horses aboard.

A freak accident? Not really. Incidents like this one...are more frequent than you might think. High profile or "hump-backed" railroad crossings, in which the tracks are at a higher grade than the roadway, present special problems for low-ground clearance vehicles such as horse trailers.

In an ongoing study....has noted a surprising number of incidents in which goose-neck trailers have become stuck on railroad crossings-with results almost always fatal to horses or humans.

...The problem comes up at hump-backed crossings because, when the truck has crossed the track and begun to descend the slope on the far side, the trailer tires may still be at roadway grade on the approach side. The underside of the trailer DrOps down onto the track and lodges there. Shorter "bumper pull" trailers are at less risk than goose-necks but it is important to raise such trailers' jack stand to a level that will provide sufficient clearance....

The best solution to this problem is prevention...If at all possible, plan your route around these crossings. If you can't do that, approach these crossings with great cautions. If you get stuck, here's what to do:
~Get out of the truck at once
~Call 911 on your cell phone. Emergency dispatchers will alert railroad officials who can halt trains in the vicinity. Give the exact location of the crossing using the name of the road and the crossing number, usually posted on a crossbuck post or signal pole
~If you see a train approaching or warning signals begin to flash, move far away from the tracks. Don't expect the train to stop in time-an average freight train traveling 55mph take a full mile to stop, according to DOT, and trains appear to be approaching more slowly than their actual speed. Move away from the track at a 45 degree angle, in the direction of the oncoming train, to avoid being struck by flying debris
~If the trailer is not in immediate danger, unload the horses. Besides getting them out of harms way, this may lighten the trailer enough to raise it off the tracks and allow you to complete the crossing.

End of article

I don't have a trailer, but am considering purchasing one. Where I live, railroad crossings are everywhere...I wouldn't thought of this particular disaster in a million years, so forgive me if this is common knowledge.

Safe hauling!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 8:53 am:

We have such a crossing in our community that has a yellow highway sign installed with the image of a low riding flat bed trailer stuck on the tracks. I wonder what you have to do to get them installed?
DrO
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 9:18 am:

I saw this same article, maybe it was in Equus? Not sure where, but I would have never thought of such of thing happening. It is scary isn't it?

Thanks Fran for putting the word out.

I would think a call to the Dept of Transportation, or the County Road Commission would be a place to start for the signs.

I often thought I should call them to get a "horses, children" caution sign. We live on a corner, Blue Spruce along the East side, and folks drive waaay to fast around this blind corner.
Member:
Sjeys

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 10:41 am:

Some more info from a friend who works at the RR:

She had an interesting take that I agree with:
I think that there are too many vehicles with the same profile as trailers for a trailer to get stuck without having anything else get stuck - think of all of the flatbeds, uhauls, hi-cube trucks, etc. that also go past that crossing.

Also, all track is checked several times each week. The issue will be if the county, city, etc. also checks the surface leading up to the crossing. But, if the crossing is that rough, someone certainly has already called and complained.

Looking at the daily incident report, I seldom see trailer stuck as the reason for the crossing accident. Generally, it is people trying to beat the train that results in the crash.

Best thing to do if you get stuck is to IMMEDIATELY call the DOT number that is on the crossbuck sign and give them the crossing number. They will know how to get ahold of the RR and try to stop traffic. I would also call 911 and tell them where you are and ask for local law enforcement. They should also know how to get ahold of RR dispatch to tell them to hold traffic. If you don't see trains, get the horses out and about 200-300 feet away from the crossing. When the train hits the trailer, it will send it flying.
Member:
Alden

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 7:13 pm:

As a truck driver I can say that it is entirely possible for a tractor trailer to get stuck on a crossing. Some trailers are lower and require more caution, but it's the length that really gets you in trouble.

It is also possible for a horse trailer to become stuck, the longer the trailer the worse the problem. To tell you the truth I hadn't really considered horse trailers a problem but it is a real concern specially for four place or longer trailers.

Good day,
Alden
Member:
Lynnea

Posted on Sunday, Sep 3, 2006 - 6:08 pm:

Is there a possibility to back up after getting stuck going forward...? to dislodge your unit from being struck by a train and find an alternate route.........
Member:
Canter

Posted on Sunday, Sep 3, 2006 - 8:03 pm:

Lynne, the way I read the article was that no, that's not a possibility. The article refers to raised tracks, which are higher than the road on either side of them. Once the wheels of the truck are on the lower front side, the bed of the trailer becomes lodged because the rear wheels of the trailer are low, still on the road on the rears side of the tracks so now you have the "bump" of the tracks scrapping the underside of the trailer. I don't know enough about trailering to understand why it's more likely to happen with a goose neck vs a bumper-pull (longer base between the rear wheels of the truck and the wheels of the trailer??). Regardless, the possible outcome is very frightening. Two weeks ago, I showed my mare and the people who were kind enough to haul her had a beautiful new gooseneck horse trailer. I was delighted to know my horse was going "first class". We went over just this type of raised track to and from the show - fortunately without incident. When I read the article, it scared the heck out of me at just what may have been a terrifying problem. The article does not imply that this happens all the time...but just enough that people need to be cognizant of the possibility and I wanted to pass the warning on.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2006 - 9:43 am:

Your options and whether they may help or not are going to depend on the particulars of the situation. The very first thing to do in my mind is remove the horses and call 911. Then I would consider checking for anything behind the trailer, listening carefully for an oncoming train, and try forward and back. After taking off the horses the trailer will rise several inches higher and be much less heavy so may well pull off the track at this time.

If it won't come off at this time I would consider if once disconnected from the truck and raised on its jack, if the bottom will disengage with the road and the trailer can now be "skidded" off the track being pulled with a chain attached to the tongue or less likely consider pulling it backwards. All this depends on having first called 911 and being able to see and hear far enough down the tracks that you can get away safely in time as you work: there should be a lookout and the truck turned off as you set up so that you can hear better.
DrO
Member:
Qh4me

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 3:24 pm:

Hi all,

I saw a similar article in Horse Illustrated, and they say that this is a very common insident. They suggested just as Dr. O has. Get the horses off the trailer ASAP and call 911.

As Dr.O suggested, the weight of the horses may give enough lift to get the trailer off the tracks.
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 3:45 pm:

With all that has been said (and my own horrified response contained), I'm sure that weight distribution in the trailer would be something to consider carefully. Where to load the larger verses lighter horses etc, may turn out to be life-saving. I know that our horses have a large weight differential and I will be neurotically careful now. I have hauled sailboats, in addition to sailing so am acutely aware of weight balance, and more or less do it instinctively when I load anything, but the thought of my horses hit by a train as I watch is so horrifying that I will now be extremely careful. I'm doing a lot of hauling right now so do appreciate this thread a great deal.
Member:
Cpacer

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 6, 2006 - 10:39 am:

Anyone able to take a picture or have one already of what one of these crossings looks like? Now I'm going to be nervous all over again pulling over RR tracks!
Member:
Lynnea

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 6, 2006 - 10:26 pm:

Thanks Fran for this awareness. It is something I don't believe I have ever read about or would have thought possible. But, with all I worry about hauling horses, what is one more thing!! I will definitely be aware now whenever I see a railroad track, and I do have a three horse gooseneck I haul my horses in. I can't imagine such a nightmare of a situation, but the knowledge here may save someone from getting into a panic and will just get the horses out and then work on the truck and trailer.
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