I wonder why the reported words it as 'train struck passenger" instead of just saying brain dead dummy walks in front of train? The train certainly did not leave the tracks and go after the man. Instead it was the man that struck the train by walking across the tracks and not looking or even hearing the train.

Things a REAL railroad Operation Lifesaver (OL) group would ask!!!
1. Why are all OL directors handpuppets of the railroad or government only giving lip service safety messages?
2. Why nothing is ever mentioned by OL that would cost the railroads a penny on the obviously missing safety equipment and track maintenance work?
3. Where are the crossing safety signals for the trains going too fast with no brakes or steering at 1,000s of crossings?
4. Where are the track video monitors for the trains going too fast with no brakes or steering to get the train stopped IN TIME?
5. Why aren't railroads paying at least half for crossing signals because it's their trains going too fast with no brakes or steering while paying the so-called RR directors millions a year.
6. Why the crossing humps trapping big trucks aren't required to be removed?
7. Why the crossing surfaces aren't wider where if a vehicle fish tails on slick road and is trapped at the edge of the crossing surface trap?
8. Why the train cabs aren't required to be lit up like a Christmas tree with emergency vehicle light bars? LOOK AND SEE!!
9. Why the front of trains aren't required to have air bags or something to soften impacts?
10. Why trains don't have better braking systems? OLIs message now shows train brakes obviously suck.

11. Why there are no bidding invitations on the obviously overcharged crossing projects the tax-payers pay the railroads for. $10,000 just to get the equipment to the sight. TRUCKED IN.
12. Why trains are allowed to run in the fog?
13. Why the crossings aren't lit up so drivers can see the black rail cars across the tracks at night?
14. Why railroads remove and steal signals we paid for on closed re-worked crossings?
15. Why $$$millions$$$ of the rail safety budget we pay in is wasted on needless reworks at crossings preventing signals where needed?
16. Why the railroad isn't required to de-ice crossings before they roll the trains?
17. Why the railroad isn't required to raise their overpasses so big trucks can get under them? The railroad wants to double stack and our road overpasses are too low---no problem WE PAY MILLIONS.
18. Why drug/alcohol tests aren't done on rail crews at crossing/pedestrian collisions?
19. Why railroads are allowed to get off with the train black box , signal black box (if crossing signals are present), and cab video at crossing/pedestrian collisions?
20. Why the fact is hidden that trains kill a few thousand people in 100 million train miles when regular drivers have like ONE death?

21.Why Amtrak passengers aren't required to look at the despicable shape of the crossings before they board the trains?
22.Why train horns aren't blown at private crossings till the last second freezing drivers?
23.Why the railroads track lights can't be at a crossing?
24 .Why railroads need track lights and civilians don't?
WAITING FOR OLI/OLI.CA response.

If Operation Lifesaver we pay a couple million a year for was a drug ---They would be re-called real quick. They have done their evil doer us for 40 years now.

The movie fight club in the plane scene has the cheaper to kill them formula. Amtrak had bodies laying all over the country yesterday. Illinois, Missouri, California, Washington State.
Like here the clueless reporter goes to the Amtrak talkin head probably 5 states away and wouldn't have a clue and prints"""when the train struck a trespasser""" which is jury tampering. Ashley Peskoe put the PROOF of trespassing or remove the statement. Falling off the platform is not trespassing but negligient homicide on the railroads part for not having proper fencing.

These are normally Suicides. In years past Hamilton Station saw about one a month. So while I'm all for railroad safety,The NE Corridor line is elevated from roads and there is never a reason to be anywhere near its tracks.
so I'm not sure what list BP is quoting from and what part of the country, almost every point is irrelevant in New Jersey.
Perhaps the bigger question is, why would someone be so distraught to take their own life, and what can we do to make that life livable. I'll be thinking about those that are left behind.

Concerning the braking safety issues. The laws of physics are such that you're never going to quickly stop thousands of tons speeding down to thin metal rails.

Really? I crossed those very tracks from age 13 to age 16 everyday to go to school, four avenues in which to die twice a day. You really are stupid ignorant or Suicidal to let an obvious danger to take your life in that manner. The circle of life cannot be altered by any law, safety device, or Political debate. Get over yourself!

I do not see what you are arguing BP. There is no trespassing onto the train tracks and this man decided to go onto them. You can not apply different security measures when the most simplest ones are not followed. He was not supposed to be there so it is 100% his fault plain and simple.

Me thinks BP is short CSX stock and is trying to incite a rapid decline. Either that or is a disgruntled former employee.

BP is raising some valid points and data. People who are critizing him seem to be saying things are just peachy keen perfect, everything's as good as it gets regarding trains and rail safety, there's no room for improvement. And it's all the fault of stupid people so let's not do anything to improve rail safety. A few years ago CSX was cited and fined for poor maintenance on rail lines causing a fatal accident. CSX does have a poor overall record regarding maintenance; it cuts maintenance expenses and then puts the public and its employees at risk.

David Cay Johnston's book, FREE LUNCH, details how CSX rips off the public after it manages to kill people from its lack of maintenance of the rails:
CSX is the railroad company formerly managed by John Snow, who went on to become Bush’s treasury secretary. Snow was praised for saving the company $2.4 billion by cutting costs on maintenance. The results were predictably deadly. Johnston follows the story of one woman, Angelica Palank, whose husband was killed when the Amtrak train he was riding crashed due to a faulty switch that CSX was responsible for maintaining. The switch was held together with nothing but a rusty nail.

...BP..it appears.... is raising completely useless information as a way to hear his own voice. R.O.W maintenance .....rolling stock and motive power maintenance ...has zero to do with the case in point ....which is unauthorized access to railroad property resulting in injury or death. He's randomly railing at a corporate machine. ...and bringing up items such as "trains operating in fog"?

Here's what we know about trains: They are big ......they are powerful .....they operate on steel, fixed in place rails .....they don't have steering capability, and therefore go where the rails do. So... the "it's not rocket science" answer is ...don't be where the trains run.

I just do not see where you are going from this. Although we do not have all the information. There is no trespassing in the area. What was this person doing trespassing. Period

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNlfkvKpGL8 I see the railroad poisons vegetation turning the area into a war zone instead of cutting it by law there. So with all the traps at this station it makes more since something went wrong at the station with the trains flying through with no/sissy horns. Why is it a stop at the crossing is 15 feet away from the rails but in this trap you scratch your rear and your elbow disappears.

I also see enough scrap steel to pay for the highest tech security system ever.

The other issue is the train horn noise. That can be eliminated, safely, while adding safety upgrades. It's a called a "quiet zone."

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rrs/pages/fp_1475.shtmlOX9F2sw-eNaWj9A

The greedy private railroads want to run crew-less trains ---but wait---most states have whistle blowing laws. The cure---have the railroads Fed bed mates trump state law with Federal law on horns and buy a study. Cures the railroad problem and makes the railroads huge profits in overcharges on the mickey mouse safety features.

Why were horns needed to start with? The signals are junk. What triggers the new safety figures? The same junk signals. Are people that clueless?

This killing wasn't turned into the National Response Center as required by law. How come?

this was actually one of my best friends and he was not brain dead. ever think it was because of depression?! he was one of the brightest kids I have met and one of the best people I've eerie met. think again before posting because you obviously don't know byway the situation was really like?

I was on train #87 when it happened. It was very traumatic for everyone involved. It took us half a mile to stop and realize we had just hit a person. I can still envision the front of the train after we transferred trains. It was a sight I hope to forget, but never will. Don't criticise the conductor or the victim.

I'd like to respond to the ignorant comments. David was my cousin. He was mentally ill and this was such a horrible tragedy for my family. He was a brilliant, kind and compassionate person. He had been struggling for a while and he just couldn't cope anymore so he ended his life. Mental illness affects millions of people. I'm sure most of you know people that have been depressed or suffered from various conditions. We will all miss David.

Bonnie, so sorry for your loss. Best wishes for your family.

So this article is still jury tampering with the trespassing statement. Where are the documents for the proof in reporting requirements???

Im a RR employee and was called out for this fatality. It happened in my territory on my clock. I was there before even the medical examiner. It was 100% a suicide. I wont disclose info on how I know this out of respect for the family but there was irrefutable evidence that this man committed suicide. It was a sad scene and my heart goes out to family and friends of this guy. But to blame the company is ridiculous. If someone wants to end their life, they will find a way and no amount of equipment can stopa horrible tragedy like this. I understand the need people feel to have n evil figure head to point the finger at but in this case alone, the co. Is not to blame
Again Im sorry to any relatives and friends to this man.

I know this incident happened a few months back but I was on that train that struck and killed Dave. This was a horrible experience for everyone involved and I pray for the family who had to go through this. I'm glad no one else was injured on my train and the Amtrak personnel were really great and helpful. Things like this unfortunately happen in our lives, but if you are going through tough times please seek help. Committing suicide this way is quite selfish. This delayed about 8 trains. We had to jump on 2 more trains just to get to our destination. We were delayed nearly 4 hours by the end of the day. Please seek help but my prayers are with the family.

Kate