Car Hits Train
I got on the MBCR’s 038 Commuter Rail heading into Boston from Abington, just as I do every other Monday-Friday morning. The train was a few minutes late, which isn’t that uncommon in the poor weather. My main complaint this morning was that the entire place was really poorly plowed, not that big a deal.
I got on the last train, and settled in (it was fairly dead compared to usually, probably a lot of people on vacation/break), there were about 20 people on the top half of my double-decker train. I proceeded to read my Metro, being marginally amused by their top 5 movie and TV shows of the year choices.
Just over halfway to the Weymouth stop, we came to a sudden stop. Here.
At first I assumed it had to do with an outbound train or the like. But then a conductor announced that there had been accident with an automobile and they would let us know when they knew more. This was probably less than 2 minutes after we stopped, so very quick communication on their part.
A minute or two later they announced that no one had been hurt, but they needed permission from their dispatch to continue on, so we would need to hold. During that time, the car, a green minvan, turned around on North Ave (it was on the west side of the tracks). The driver got out and was attempting to put his front bumper into the minivan.
About 5 minutes after an ambulence, police cruisers, and a firetruck from Abington arrived. They checked out the driver, he appeared to be fine. There were no injuries on the train.
10 or so minutes after the crash, the fire truck and ambulence left. The driver sat in his minvan, and we sat on the tracks. Not very exciting. They announced that we just needed permission from dispatch to continue and we’d be on our way.
20 minutes after the crash we were back on our way. The minivan was still there when we left, but I assume he left shortly thereafter. The conductor announced that the car had skidded (on ice I would assume) through or around the guard rail into the moving train. Ya, the car drove into a moving train. That may be a first.
What’s not a first is a car/train collision in Abington. They have had the most train/car accidents in the state (7 in 7 years I believe from the stat thrown out earlier in the year), so… hello 8 in 7.
We also got into town an hour late. An hour. We were only stuck at the accident scene for 20-30 minutes, but then we had to “hold” (I love when they say that) at Braintree for a while. We got in at 9:40 AM instead of 8:40 AM. Luckily, I bolted across town on the Red and then Orange line to get to work by 10:00 AM, but A LOT of people were surely late. I’m sure I could get a free commuter rail ticket out of it, but what good is that with my monthly pass? That’s like complaining about food an all-you-can-eat restaurant and the manager offering you a free dessert.
Globe Article: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/car_slides_onto.html
Well, it looks like you have quit blogging but . . . you should get the free commuter rail ticket every time this happens because you can turn them on for cash at South Station or Back Bay. I take the Kingston line from Whitman and I’d say I have gotten over $200 back in the past few years. What irks me is when the train is delayed and they don’t collect fares. Do conductors think they are doing us a favor? I have a pass so I have already paid AND I will submit for my free fare. All the no-pass holders just got a free ride and some of them will probably submit their claims as well. I’ll be thinking about that the next fare hike.