Mobile Home, Freight Cars Damaged In Collision At Rail Crossing

A mobile home was damaged, along with a train engine and several freight cars June 7 at a rail crossing collision.

The collision happened at Highway ZZ in Crawford County.

A westbound BNSF train struck a mobile home that was being transported across a private railroad crossing.

Joseph Chapman, 69, Cuba, was attempting to make the crossing in a 1977 GMC pickup.

Chapman tried crossing ahead of the oncoming train, but the mobile home suffered heavy damage.

Crawford County Sheriff Darin Layman said the train’s engine and several of the freight cars also sustained damage.

The section of the track was closed for investigation and debris removal.

1. Stop, look both ways, and listen. Know that trains always have the right of way.

2. Don’t stop on the tracks. Make sure you have room to get across. Once you enter the crossing, keep moving.

3. Stop 15 feet away from flashing red lights, lowered gates, a signaling flagman or a stop sign.

4. Never drive around a lowering gate or ignore signals. 

5. After a train passes, wait for gates to fully rise and for all lights to stop flashing before your cross.

6. Never assume that there is only one train coming from a single direction.

7. If your car stalls on a track, quickly get everyone out — even if you don’t see a train coming. Run away from the tracks and your car to avoid being hit by flying debris. Call the number on the blue emergency notification system sign. If the sign is not visible to you, call 911.

For more information on Railway Safety visit, https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/railroad-crossing