When a train hits a car or 18-wheeler is it a huge impact in the cab of the locomotive?

Question

Just wondering if anyone out there has run a train into a car or something bigger and if there was even a jolt in the cab of the locomotive.

Answer 1

no but you duck anyway in case of things flying

Answer 2

Cant tell you about a truck, but I was in the cab of a train when we hit a full size van at 55 mph and there was a very slight feeling at the moment of impact, we heard it of course but the impact itself was negligible.

I have seen locomotive cabs after hitting trucks and there was considerable damage, I have to assume there would be a noticable thump, perhpas like hitting basketball sized object or medium sized rock with your car.

Answer 3

No. Back when I was on the East German Border ( in the US Army), we had a call out from one of our M1 Abrams tanks. He could not move even though his tracks were spinning like crazy. A Ford Capri had hit the back of the tank at well over 100mph and was lodged underneath. The tankers inside did not even feel the impact.

Answer 4

I have been involved in many grade crossing accidents and have yet to feel the impact of an automobile, van, pick-up truck.  The one time we felt the impact was when we hit a loaded dump truck of gravel.  That was quite an impact and showered a lot of gravel on us.  However the engine and train stayed on the rail. Junkman