"Bang!"
"Crunch"
"Squeaaal"
"Shiiiish"
These were the sounds that jarred me from my slumber this morning as I was making my way into work aboard the 6:47AM train out of Lindenhurst.
Our train was side-swiped by a double-decker diesel/electric train as they were both leaving Jamaica Station at about 7:35 AM.
The incident was nothing like this LIRR collision -- Long Island Rail Road's Worst Train Crash.
The force of the impact derailed the car I was in and the one behind us. Our train was crossing over an interlocking (or a track switch) when we were hit. Because of where the trains collided, I have to assume that my train had the right of way, and that the engineer of the double-decker simply fucked up.
I was in the fifth car of a six-car train. Earlier, I bitched privately about the fact that our train was short two cars, but I let go of my angst once I found a seat. What's the point? Would we get two cars back by calling the LIRR President, Helena E. Williams, to rant about the service?
Ring! Ring!
Me: Ms. Williams, you're a Mooselini McDoodyhead!
Williams: Spartacus, go fuck yourself!
Click!
I could also bitch about the fact that the LIRR took a pass on me for the locomotive engineer's job back in July. I'm kind of glad I didn't get it. I could be the poor schmuck driving the double-decker. Given that the unemployment rate in NY is on the rise, I'm just glad to have a job.
No. I'll leave the bitching and moaning to the good folks at Transit Blogger.com. That's just not my milieu.
I digress.
There were only three minor injuries reported, thank goodness. I saw a young guy laid out on a flatboard as I was walking off the rescue train. He was conscious and moving his extremities as FDNY paramedics were strapping hard foam padding around his head to keep it from moving. I'll take that as a good sign.
It must be some Long Island commuter instinct, because after we got past the initial shock of the accident we all pulled out our mobile phones, not to call loved ones, but to tell the boss we'll be late. Skippy was my third call ... sorry Skip. But she knows the drill: if there's no blood, call the boss first; a sad reality of corporate employment.
My blogger instinct reared it's ugly head, too, because I recognized instantly the blog-ability of this accident and snapped a few shots with my phone camera. These shots suck. I know. It's the best I could do.
I finally made it into work at 9:30AM where I was greeted by several concerned co-workers wanting to know if I was okay, and wondering what supplies they could pilfer from my desk if I wasn't. I laughed it off. I told them it was all my fault; that I had stolen the train to satisfy my desire to become a locomotive engineer.
Sometimes you have to have a sense of humor about these things.
Casey Jones - The Grateful Dead
16 comments:
um. wow. Very glad you're ok.
Jeez man, next time, make sure your photographic evidence shows some blood n' guts.
I mean, glad you're okay. :)
Yikes. You're now the first person I've ever known who's been in a train derailment.
Have you begun composing a train wreck ballad to document the experience yet?
Glad you are ok, Spartacus. Hope that's the only close call you ever get.
Just goes to show - ya never know. I'm glad your workmates didn't get their hands on the contents of your drawers :-)
wow, that's really awful. glad you're ok.
the worst part about it is that with the MTA is going to be making MASSIVE cuts, even to their capital programs, over the next few months and i fear that maintenance of the tracks and the fleet my get even worse and these types of things will become more common.
what is your thinking about the big workers compension monies these LIRR guys are routinely getting when they retire, even though the LIRR has, historically, been among those commuter railroads, nationwide, with the highest safety ratings.
perfectly healthy guys, getting $250K/year retirements.
sickening.
to be clear, i have no problem with a person getting a $250K/year retirement (which I was going to get that!!), but my point was and is that they are getting them through false workers comp claims, that's all.
andrew cuomo's apparently on the case though, so that's good.
Wowsers....
Dude
1...I am relieved you are ok.
2...Have you called a lawyer yet? I have hunch you may have a sore back or neck. ;)
Glad you're OK, but I'm just sure that it was the work of anti 'mer'can t'rrorists!
Thanks Alecto... but my reaction to the accident was "holy shit!"
Randal... who do you think I am? George A. Romero?
Bubs... I guess that closes the six degrees of separation between us in this category. As for the ballad, can I use the tune of Wreck the Edmund Fitzgerald.
PiNYC...thanks. me too. But I must admit a certain accomplishment for having experienced it.
Susan... i hear ya sister... all the more reason to go through life with eyes wide open; especially when you know your co-workers have grubby hands and aren't afraid to use them.
Thanks Anita.. Capital funding is going to be a problem with the MTA, but projects like East Side Access that brings the LIRR into Grand Central Station are already funded, so I'll be happy when that's done by 2010. Also, the LIRR just upgraded nearly all of it's rolling stock. Ironically, it was two of their new trains that were involved in the accident. I agree with you on false worker's comp claims. As an auditor, it doesn't surprise me that someone would try to scam the disability system. But that's the natural extension of a lack of management oversight.
okjimm.. I made Skippy run out and get me a neck brace and a high-priced lawyer. I am so ready for a big payday!
Kvatch.. you know... i thought it might be the work of terrorists at first, but long beards, Kurta skirts, and kufis are considered occupational hazards in LIRR maintenance shops, so I ruled that theory out.
Crap, Spartacus, that was the shits!
Glad you are OK, bro.
Between the two of us we have Planes, Trains, (and one of us needs to be in a car wreck now), and we have it covered.
Regards,
Tengrain
Tengrain: I've been rear-ended four times, twice while sitting at a red light. Does that count?
I dropped by with a giant virtual cake and a big bottle of champagne to wish you all the very best for today and all future days. If you'd been driving that train it wouldn't have gone off the rails. Happy Birthday, Spartacus!
Thanks 'grain. I looked alot worse that it really was. But what's this about planes? You were in a crash? I've got the car thing covered. I've had two car accidents this year; both of them were my fault, and like the train accident, no injuries.
PiNYC... yes that counts. But I'm sure that you're not too crazy about counting the accidents.
Susan.. thank you for the cake and champagne on my birthday. But I don't know about not riding the train off the rails. See my comment to Tengrain. I've had a few accidents. I'm just sayin..
where the hell have I been!
I saw this on the news all that day and kept sending out good karma for all involved - hope you felt it ;)
glad you're OK.
thanks for the good karma Dianne. I was in one of the cars that "took a hit", so the karma is appreciated.
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