Having had part in rule book revisions (mostly for signal rules, and because I had been involved in so many investigations), I can tell you that is NOT an old wives tale. Beyond the barest of basic procedural structure governing train movements; historically, all the additional rules were put there one by one, after an accident showed the need.

One example is the ATSF rule requiring a brakeman at a siding waiting for a meet, to stand well away from the switch stand (100ft if I recall) until after the last opposing train to meet has passed. That got put in only after it was discovered that humans are excitable creatures and may inadvertently throw the switch too soon if standing next to it. It was a deadly and bloody accident that demonstrated the need for that rule; not the smarts of management, nor even that of any employee. Further, it was only because an independent investigation revealed the true cause, that the rule was instituted at all. It was, as most were, written in the blood of those passengers and crewmen that died.

Violate it, and more blood will get spilled, just as happened again in the late fifties, this time by a rookie fireman subbing for a suddenly ill brakemen. The fireman was not familiar with the brakeman's rules - so he died; as did twenty or so others.

Just like now, managers back then were often too stupid to anticipate hazards until after the blood was spilled. Because those additional rules were not written until after blood got spilled, they WERE written in blood. And the process will continue on and on - unless human beings manage to learn how to anticipate fatal flaws before they ever kill anyone. Clairvoyance anyone!


And no - I do not believe that frequent anything will necessarily make you go blind - unless it's frequent poking sticks into your eyes, or throwing battery acid around, or something like that. But seriously though, I do know a dude that while resting at an away point waiting for his call, did practice that art in the bunkhouse, and did go blind! At least for a few minutes. Turns out he had an unknown (at the time) medical condition (low blood pressure). So when he got really really busy, not enough blood pressure got to his head, and since the eyes are the first to go when that happens, there you are.

Moral of the story - don't be so quick to scoff! Rare though it may be, almost anything is possible.