(The following editorial appeared on the Ames Tribune website on March 10. David Lahner is a member of BLET Division 6 in Boone, Iowa.)
AMES, Iowa — On Feb. 27 The Tribune printed a guest column by David Lahner, an engineer for the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. In it, Lahner described a trip through Ames from his own unique perspective behind the windows of a locomotive. The beauty of the town set off his gripping recollection of a time some years ago when the train he was in struck and killed a man at an Ames crossing.
“We would rather not kill,” was the sad title of his story. It painted a vivid picture and gave us a slightly different take on a couple of civic “improvements.” While their intent may have been to improve the aesthetics of living in Ames, their effect increases risk.
The most obvious problem from Lahner’s viewpoint is in the use of Ames’ automated, directional train sirens. There’s not much you can do to stop a 20,000-ton freight train bearing down on an obstruction – or a person – blocking the tracks. But Lahner at least would like the ability to blow his horn. You can imagine that it would make him feel like he’s done everything he can to avoid an accident.
The automated sirens, however, force him to rely on an external safety system. And he pointed out in his column that on a dozen occasions in 2003 the automated signals were not working.
The second safety concern raised by the article is the placement of several trees along the tracks as they approach the downtown. An engineer’s sight is blocked by some of these, at an especially critical time. This beautification project cuts off the view just as trains round the bend heading east over Grand Avenue and into the most populated section of the city.
Since the column was printed, Lahner has met with Matt Pepper, head of buildings and grounds for the city of Ames. The problem trees are located partly on city land and partly on railroad land. The railroad should be able to take care of the obstructions by itself. And happily, Pepper has begun trimming to help improve the visibility.
Additionally, there are some trees on private property near the old depot. And some trees along the city parking lot downtown could spark some controversy if they were to be slated for removal.
But it’s encouraging to see that at least a partial solution to the problem is being pursued.