As a fireman and engineer for the Nickel Plate and later Norfolk & Western, my grandfather saw his share of stupid acts. During my childhood, he did pass a few stories on to me.

It would seem that a bus driver would take extra care when crossing the railroad tracks. It would also seem that if that bus were loaded with children that the driver would be exceptionally cautious. Furthermore, it would seem that if that bus were a church bus enroute to Sunday School, the driver, entrusted to transport the congregations little lambs, would make certain to follow safe operating proceedures. Unfortunately, on this certain Sunday, none of these seemingly common sense ideas prevailed.

While approaching a grade crossing, my grandfather noticed a church bus approaching. Certain that the bus saw the train and that he would stop short of the crossing, he sounded the airchime as per regulations. This driver fellow, however, must have been running late because he chose not to slow, stop, or open his door to get a qualified look down the tracks. As he barreled across, grandfather reacted suddenly. He threw the train into emergency and prepared for what was ahead.

Fortunately for all involved, the lead engine just missed the bus as the driver sped away surely shaken from the near miss. Grandpa managed to get the license plate number and a good description of the vehicle. When the train came to a stop, he dismounted the engine and promptly contacted the local authorities. The last time Grandpa saw the driver was in a court appearance at which grandfather was required to testify. That man didn't drive the bus again.

Another instance of stupidity was also told to me. I believe this one took place at the grade crossing in Sidney, Indiana. I don't know what the year was for this one, though. It seems that the train had safely crossed State Road 13. The traffic had stopped and proceeded to wait. As the train passed, the first in the line of traiffic carefully noted the end of the train had passed. Evidently a drag racing fan, and definately not a rail fan, he took the hole shot even though the flashers were still active.

What the driver of the automobile had not noticed was that the end of the train had no caboose attached, which was still standard practice in those days. As the car pulled onto the tracks, it was promptly smashed into by the rest of the train! It seems that Darwins theory was working in hand with Murphy's Law. The train had seperated somewhere towards the middle while at speed. Although the train had gone into emergency, timing made the two parts of the train get enough gap so as to cross the road seperatly before either part had come to a stop.

And here's one last story. This one is not so much an act of stupidity but of shear luck. Grandfather lived just a tenth of a mile from the NKP mainline enroute to Chicago. In fact, his property paralleled the tracks for some distance. He was always sure to preach to his children and grandchildren that the railroad was not to be toyed with. It was dangerous and we should always Stop, Look, and Listen! Well, one snowy night, my aunt, his daughter, and her husband decided it was time to leave the folks house. They said their goodbyes and got in the car. They then drove down the road as the snow was really beginning to accumulate and it was quite dark. As they got to the tracks, the brakes were applied to the car, yet it wasn't slowing. Realizing this, they both did a quick look down the tracks only to discover that a train was quickly approaching. Unable to stop and with hundreds of tons coming quickly towards them, they surely thought this night was their last.

Finally at a stop, but on the tracks, the train got them. It cleanly removed the front of their car and put them into a spin. As the car rotated, the train decided it a good idea to even out the car and promptly removed the rear of the car as well.

Back at the house, the family was surprised to see my aunt and uncle returning. They came in and told their tale of what had just happened. Neither was injured and not a piece of glass had been broken in that car. That ol' train just took off the front and back ends and left the rest sit.

Stupid things happen and so do strange and amazing things. If you have a tale to share, please email TRKneller.