Crossing Train Tracks

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Author Message   Father Bear Citizen Username: Father_bear Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 2:47 pm:        While waiting with 100's of others for the 8:24 train, there was an announcement that the next train would be arriving on the local track. Like 99.8% of those waiting, I went through the station and then over to the other side. While waiting on the local platform, I saw two people walking directly across the tracks from the express platform to get to the local platform. The crowd collectively gasped and the station attendant soon made an announcement telling people not to cross over the tracks. The first track hopper was an older woman, not in the best of shape, in a green coat, who had to struggle slightly while getting over a low fence separating the tracks. The woman made it across with help from someone offering a hand as she climbed on the platform. Looking back on it, I wish I had somehow pointed out the track trespassors to someone from NJ Transit. My guess is they were breaking a law and at the very least deserved a verbal lashing. Not only were they risking their own lives but also those of any good samitarians who may have helped. As everyone started saying to each other: "it's just not worth it". Of course, in these litigious times, if anyone ever got hurt, NJ Transit would probably be sued for not putting up a barrier in between the tracks to prevent crossing over by foot . . .   ril Citizen Username: Ril Post Number: 501 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 2:55 pm:        I saw that, too, and was stunned by their stupidity. What did that accomplish? There was time for everyone to go down the stairs and around. BTW, some of us were still waiting for the missing 7:25! NJT was unhelpful as usual, with no useful announcements, and those they did make were unintelligible if you were out on the platform. Grrrr...   Stuart0628 Citizen Username: Stuart0628 Post Number: 232 Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 3:52 pm:        If "there was time for everyone to go down the stairs and around", then presumably there was no train coming. And if so, the risk is no more and no less than walking on a street at a grade crossing. If the train was anywhere in sight, that would be a different story and I would agree with you totally. The sooner they put the fence back and eliminate the attractive nuisance, the better. But the risk should still be kept in perspective.   mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2672 Registered: 4-2002 Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:03 pm:        Stuart: I don't think most realize how little time you have from the point you can see the train till it actually pulls into the station. Some trains blow thru at full speed and do not stop in S. Orange. There really is no excuse since there is an elevator if someone has trouble with steps.   Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1323 Registered: 4-2004 Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:52 pm:        Stuart- No excuse whatsoever. We've had over a dozen deaths on the tracks in my life here, and all were preventable. Several kids were killed when they saw one train coming and fled into the path of another. My former neighbors also lost a child on the tracks. It makes even less sense when an adult thinks they can safely avoid getting hit just to save a few steps or get to work a little earlier.