Final word on the Canton crash

The emerging view on the Canton crash is that the driver of the car blundered, for reasons unknown. (See the accounts in the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.)

The car was traveling north on Hannan Road in Canton Township, near Wayne. The Wolverine was traveling west and up to speed (~70 mph). Looking at the Google street view it seems possible that the driver couldn't see the train behind the trees (at right), but surely he heard the horn and saw the gates. At least one eyewitness saw the same, and Amtrak says the in-cab video proves the safety devices were working. The stretch is Norfolk Southern and sees plenty of freights; maybe the driver thought that he was trying to beat a slow freight. Certainly I've played tag with a Grand Elk slow freight in Kalamazoo before, but the difference there is (a) I don't run around crossings and (b) I've seen the freight and verified it's doing about 5-10 mph. Big difference.

Man killed in Marinette

The Escanaba Daily Press reports that a man was killed by a train early yesterday morning in Marinette, Wisconsin. Not strictly Michigan news but the spot (between US-41 and Ella Court St) is half a mile from the border, and along that part of the Canadian National which runs north to Powers.

ADBF derailment

The Adrian & Blissfield suffered a minor derailment on Monday which is being blamed on the weather.

That's a safe call these days. Hat tip to National Railroad News.