Train Stops a Rollin’

An Amtrak passenger train en route from Santa Barbara to San Diego barely avoided an accident on Monday, January 4 at about 7:40 p.m.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train number 784 was operating through Rose Canyon just north of downtown San Diego when the engineer noticed a pickup truck near the tracks. The crew brought the train to an emergency stop and then exited the train to inspect for damage.

The 53-year-old driver of the pickup truck had crossed over the tracks at a section not meant for vehicles. After crossing some tracks, the truck became stuck about one foot from the main line.

According to a passenger onboard, one of the conductors later said, “The train cleared the truck by three inches.”

There were no reports of injuries or damage, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department is investigating. Amtrak’s website showed the train arrived at the San Diego depot 33 minutes late.