Can A Train Ever Derail Just By Hitting A Car Or Truck At A Crossing??

Answer 1

They sure can. It doesn't always have to large, either. A car will do the trick.

You'd be surprised at some of the things that'll put a train in the ditch.

Stop, look, listen AND make sure you can get off the tracks on the other side and not be blocked by the car ahead before crossing.

Answer 2

Any obstruction can derail a train, and that includes a vehicle on the track.

Recently a train in the UK was derailed when a man drove his car through a wall, down an embankment and onto the track.

If you ever have the misfortune to be in a vehicle which has broken down or stalled on a level crossing, get out of the vehicle as fast as you can and phone the signalbox (the phone will be right by the crossing). Don't try and move the vehicle.

Answer 3

Simply put, yes, a train can derail from a collision with an automobile. There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration. The speed of the train and angle of impact are two very important ones. Basically, the slower the train, the easier it is to dislodge from the track. Something as simple as a railroad tie can even cause a locomotive/box car to jet off balance. You would be surprised how many derailments there are every day. On average, I get about 15 nationwide per day on my reports. Most of course are not reported in the media and are easily corrected.

Answer 4

Yes, indeed they can. In 2005 a number of people lost their lives when a High Speed Train operated by First Great Western hit a car which had been parked on a crossing at Ufton Nervet. A copy of the interim report in the accident can be seen at http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/HSE_Ufton001.pdf
The problem in these times is that trains tend to be much lighter than they were in the past. A heavy steam locomotive would probably have pushed a light car out of the way. Even if it hadn't, remember that here in the UK trains are traveling at speeds of up to 100% more than in the past which is going to have an effect on collisions.

Some one has mentioned the Great heck accident where a car crashed off a bridge on to a high speed track and was hit by a high speed electric train. That wasn't a collision on a crossing, but does show the catastrophic effect of a light, modern train hitting a light motor vehicle.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Derailments and collisions involving trains are an unpredictable thing - some of the smallest items will throw the train on the ground, and yet they could remain on the rail even after hitting a large object.

Speed, angle, size, point of impact, weather, track condition, surroundings, terrain, and a host of numerous other factors contribute to the severity (or not) of a derailment, and with each one being a potential variable, it's nearly impossible to make concrete conclusions.

Answer 6

A car can easily derail a train. Many years ago in Scotland, a train was even derailed by a cow!

Answer 7

yes train derailed and people killed at selby england about 3 years ago when passenger train hit land rover and wreck hit by coal train 2 minutes later

Answer 8

I regular car or truck....doubtfull. A Semi or a constructon rig of some sort...maybe...

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

Tons. One very famous one just two years ago in L.A.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/26/train.derailment/