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This is what a TRAIN did to my car...

A

Aprylla

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I wanted to share this with everyone. I have had some bad luck in the last year (a Hurricane called Katrina being the first and foremost). Although this wreck was some bad luck, I consider it good luck (among other things) that I am here and alive and able to talk about it. To everyone: PLEASE be careful at the more dangerous train crossings in your area.

Last Thursday, I was driving my 86 Buick Hearse (yes, for those who don't know I do own and drive a hearse as my own personal car) home from the store. I was entering my subdivision and about to cross the train tracks (keep in ming there tracks only have a yield sign with no lights or crossing arms and only a few feet of visability in either direction due to a forest of trees). I slowed to look/listen for a train. I couldn't see one in my limited view, and I didn't hear a train horn with windows down and no radio on (I can normally hear all the way at my house a 1/2 mile away when it is blowing at this intersection). I started to accelerate proceed across the tracks. Just as the nose of my car was ON the tracks I heard the horn blow. I looked out my passenger side window and saw the train was going fast and very close. I knew in that moment if he hit my passenger side I was going to be in serious shape. So I stomped the gas as hard as I could. Within about a second I felt the impact of the train. My car went airborne for about 20-25 feet, it "landed" and had gone 180 degrees...I was facing the railroad track again from the other side of the road.

I was seen by the EMT's on the scene but refused to go to the hospital because I had heard the police talking about "hauling my car off". I knew I was right there at my house, so I wanted my car to go to my house. I ended up having the wrecker driver just load it and bring it 1/2 mile to my house. I did go to the hospital within a few hours since I was having some issues. I am ok as far as I know now. Just bruised a little and in a bit of pain (nothing bad enough to take pain meds though).

I really think that the fact that I was in this type of car saved my life. If I had been in any other type of car and hit like I was, I do not think I would have come out of it like this.

I have taken tons of photos and talked to a lawyer already.

The damage to my coach is extensive. My father and my fiancee are working on cutting away the damaged parts. Although everyone seems to be advising me against it, I am going to restore it to it's original excellent condition. I will be posting a message in the classifieds soon looking for lots of parts.

Here is a photo of it taken within a few minutes after the wreck.

Pic2.jpg
 
Damn.......................... I'm glad your alright and walked away from that without any serious injuries. God was smiling down on you.

Keep us updated on what happens with the lawsuit. I would suspect you have quite a strong case.

Good luck,
 
Glad you're OK. You are fortunate indeed. It's not often that someone walks away from an encounter with a moving train. The good Lord was watching over you for sure.

However, if you'd been driving a normal car you'd have been fine. The rear end would have cleared the tracks before the train got it haha. That hearse is a BIG ride lol.
 
Clay Davenport said:
That hearse is a BIG ride lol.
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Funny thing is, I have owned several other hearses over the past 12 years or so (all my others were 60's/70's/80's Cadillacs) and this is the *shortest* one I have ever owned, measuring in at 18 feet 6 inches long. All of my Cadillacs were over 22 feet and as long as right at 27 feet. LOL It took me really getting used to this small hearse before I could drive it. :D This has been my favorite one I have ever owned, which is why I am going to repair it, regardless of the resale value (which is what people seem to keep bringing up to me) ...never going to sell it anyways. :)
 
You have probably seen the movie Grand Theft Parsons, but being a hearse owner/operator if you haven't you should.
It's a good movie and the hearse the hippe drives is pretty cool.
 
I have never seen it, but THANKS, I will definitely check it out. :)
 
I really think that the fact that I was in this type of car saved my life. If I had been in any other type of car and hit like I was, I do not think I would have come out of it like this.
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I'd like to nominate this for the most ironic observation of the week. Saved by driving a death-mobile. :thumbsup:

Henry
 
Aprylla, I too am glad to hear you made it through this. It could have been much worse. :yesnod: Talk about luck, dang you have been through a bunch. :rolleyes:
 
Aprylla, I'm very glad that you are fine from that type of accident. Not many people can say they walked away from getting hit by a train. Good luck in restoring the car.
 
Aprylla,

My BIL was in an accident December of 1995, I believe, where he hit a train...long story short, dark foggy night, train stopped across the road just over a hill, no flares, no lights, nothing. His car was hooked on the train (thank God he was going slower, only about 45 because of the fog), and it pulled backwards and dragged him....pulled back forward and dragged him back forward until his car finally broke off. He laid bleeding, injured, and freezing for several hours (the temps were in single digits), until he managed to catch the eye of a passing car by using his rearview mirror to reflect their headlights at them. He was life-flighted to Mayo Clinic, and almost lost his leg, among other serious injuries, and was hospitalized for 3 months.

Anyway......the simple fact that the train operator neglected to put out flares to warn motorists they were there meant that they were liable for his injuries. The failure of your train operator to sound the horn should be equally as damning.
 
Cat_72 said:
Aprylla,

My BIL was in an accident December of 1995, I believe, where he hit a train...long story short, dark foggy night, train stopped across the road just over a hill, no flares, no lights, nothing. His car was hooked on the train (thank God he was going slower, only about 45 because of the fog), and it pulled backwards and dragged him....pulled back forward and dragged him back forward until his car finally broke off. He laid bleeding, injured, and freezing for several hours (the temps were in single digits), until he managed to catch the eye of a passing car by using his rearview mirror to reflect their headlights at them. He was life-flighted to Mayo Clinic, and almost lost his leg, among other serious injuries, and was hospitalized for 3 months.

Anyway......the simple fact that the train operator neglected to put out flares to warn motorists they were there meant that they were liable for his injuries. The failure of your train operator to sound the horn should be equally as damning.
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Oh wow! That is all I can think of to say after reading that. I knew I was lucky to have come out of this with only some damage to my hand, but what you posted REALLY hit home to make me realize JUST how lucky I am. I could have been in that same condition and I know it. How is your BIL doing now? I hope he was able to make a full recovery eventually...? That is just awful.
 
Oh, and here is a pic of what the car looks like now, after 2 days straight of my dad and fiancee cutting off the bad metal parts, and me helping by taking out all of the interior that I could with one hand. Luckily, all of the interior parts look salvageable, and the rear and side doors *may* also be able to be used too, since they were not as badly damaged as was originally thought. The "cargo area" (LOL!!) of the car took the largest hit, and thank God that is all hollow space. Our main problem will be finding a parts car for all that metal between the 2nd passenger door to the rear door, and a new doorframe for the rear door. I am thankful that this car was made out of a station wagon, and that most of the standard body parts (no pun intended) can be taken off a regular station wagon of this type within about a 4 year span (and LOTS of the wagons were made in the mid-80s).

RESTORDay2Pic7EndOfDay.jpg
 
Aprylla said:
Oh wow! That is all I can think of to say after reading that. I knew I was lucky to have come out of this with only some damage to my hand, but what you posted REALLY hit home to make me realize JUST how lucky I am. I could have been in that same condition and I know it. How is your BIL doing now? I hope he was able to make a full recovery eventually...? That is just awful.
Click to expand...

He's doing OK....he still has a limp, and has issues with being able raise his foot as he walks, but he's in a lot better shape than we ever thought he would end up in.

You were VERY lucky, that's for sure. I have no doubt your car is responsible for some of your "luck" however.those things are tough.....ever see a hearse demo derby?? LOL, it's too cool! I just hope that you can get some sort of recoupment from the railroad.
 
Wow

That is not good. Let me know if I can help in any way. I dont know much about fixing cars but I know of some people in the area that are trustworthy. Call me if you need anything.
 
Thanks very much. You were one of the last people to see my hearse in one piece, LOL.
 
You drive a hearse! That rocks! I am happy to read you came out of that wreck without any major problems.
 
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