Opinion

Railroad tracks no place to ponder questions

Posted May 28, 2014 5:01 am

As the mother of a locomotive engineer with 22 years of experience, I was quite taken aback by the subject matter in the front-page photo on May 20 showing the award-winning artwork of Sydney Janda. I have no problem with the quality, but the drawing of the young girl sitting on the railroad tracks was most disturbing.

Recently my son and his conductor came within feet of hitting a young boy of about 10 who was wearing earbuds and a hoodie, walking along the track with his back to the oncoming train. Only by the grace of God were they able to stop the train in time, as they were rounding a curve at a reduced rate of speed.

The emotional impact of this incident was enormous for the engineer and conductor; the young man looked up at them and ran away. I wonder if he realized just how lucky he was.

I feel there are many safer places to contemplate questions without endangering herself and others.

Joyce Stemp

Wheeling

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