Caltrain Service Disrupted After Train Hits Big-Rig

Mark Taylor February 11, 2013 at 08:54 pm

From the news reports, it appears the driver likely miscalculated about clearing the track before the train hit. Some drivers, I have noticed, try speeding across the tracks if they see the train coming BEFORE the signal comes down. Tractor-trailers though are longer and take more time to clear hence the possibility of a train hitting it before clearing tracks.
I would hope the driver did not try going across when gates were coming down. That is the worst time as the train is nearly there (1/4 mile away) and usually going 60+ mph. It closes the distance pretty fast, something many people forget to realize.

Michael Mathews February 11, 2013 at 08:57 pm

A Twitter update from Caltrain_News at 3:46 estimated two more hours of single tracking.

JB Davis (Editor) February 11, 2013 at 09:17 pm

Thanks for the update Michael!

Mark Taylor February 11, 2013 at 09:39 pm

One thing I forgot to mention about Angus Ave in San Bruno. Traffic going north and south is supposed to stop and let all traffic going over tracks clear (they have right of way over tracks). But a lot of drivers ignore that and speed through the intersection forcing traffic coming over tracks to stop or slow down. That may have happened here. Just as he was coming over a car decided to speed through forcing him to slow and thus not clearing tracks in time.

MV Resident February 11, 2013 at 09:55 pm

Glad I have a ride tonight.

Claudia Cruz (Editor) February 11, 2013 at 10:02 pm

I always pray that I can work really close to home. I hate commuting delays.

Eric Ribeiro February 11, 2013 at 10:14 pm

There is a height limit because of the train overpass on Angus. It is also posted that no trucks are allowed because of this. I think the tractor/trailer didn't read the signs and got stuck going through the opening and ended up on the train track.

Janet Miles February 11, 2013 at 10:22 pm

@Mark, so true! I have had to slow down many times because of the people who try to cross on Huntington. The section going south is a difficult one because of the angle of the intersection. The cars going south on Huntington cannot always see the cars coming over the tracks. I will be so happy when this is all done!

Sunny Brawley February 12, 2013 at 01:01 am

The driver is fine and no injuries thank god!!! and he was within height limit impact of train forced him under bridge he had almost cleared the track when a car in fronnt of him stopped and after blowing on horn would not move so he could clear track,, he heard train horn and bailed 30 seconds before impact and the proceeded to check all surroundings for injuries and called 911...the lady in car thought he was just being an asshole not realizing she stopped and he didnt have enough room to get off and she had 10 feet in front of her a sad yest scary situation thanks GOD no one hurt hallelujah!!!

Jennifer van der Kleut February 12, 2013 at 01:03 am

Wow, that's crazy!

Gracie R February 12, 2013 at 01:49 am

The truck driver was lost and he was trying to go around. He was going West bound on Angus; when he realized that his truck would not fit under the 11'6" clearance, he let some of the air out of the bladders of his brakes and decided to try to get through anyway..... the trailer scraped the bridge and then the arms came down.... he jumped from the truck just shortly before the train hit his tractor.
There are advance warning signs on all of the approaches to that bridge, warning truck drivers "LOW BRIDGE CLEARANCE 11'6", but so many just ignore the road signs and go ahead anyway. I'm glad no one was hurt, this was just too close!

Gracie R February 12, 2013 at 01:51 am

He was not within the height limit. His trailer did not fit under the bridge!

Mark Taylor February 12, 2013 at 02:11 am

The news reports this evening were interesting as were the videos of the scene. The train hit the tractor-trailer almost in the middle and the impact made that rear section land on the southbound side of the new construction wedged between the train and the new wall. It was so tightly wedged in they had to reverse the train to get access to it. And they were using welding equipment to get it free from that wall from the aerial view I saw.
Had they had enough time, Caltrain might have been called and trains stopped at South San Francisco and San Bruno station until it was cleared. Alas it happened too fast. The truck was in the wrong place at wrong time. East Angus is the worst possible place to have this happen. Hard to back out of without others directing traffic away and around (not much space on East Angus). Liability is going to fall first on the truck driver, his company, and the woman behind who did not back up (yes, she can be held a contributing factor in this incident by Caltrain). And then there are fines to come for the truck driver/company from San Bruno P.D. from failing to comply with stated limit on height or truck restrictions, stopping on train tracks, and of course causing damage to another vehicle (the train engine). I imagine the train driver was in the crash position when it happened (he saw it early enough to slow down) and praying that the trailer would not flip up towards the cabin.

Peter Carey February 12, 2013 at 12:21 pm

Why was this truck on Angus and not San Bruno Ave?

Peter Carey February 12, 2013 at 01:14 pm

What was his destination ?

Mark Taylor February 12, 2013 at 08:47 pm

The San Mateo County Times has a article with photo gallery. Sorry but I cannot put that link here (it was rejected) so you will have to find it on your own. Worth a look for the photos of the scene. Just use your favorite search engine to locate the online version (it is now part of a newspaper out of San Jose).
@ Peter-Probably was new to the area and or remembered there was a crossing at Angus. He likely did not know about the rail bridge until he arrived and foolishly thought he might be able to slip under. By now likely looking for a new job.