Memorable Moment

Date: September 1984
Location: Central Indiana

This year was a memorable year as I graduated high school, had a full time job and owned a 1968 Mustang. What a sweet ride that car was especially during warm weather. It was your basic Mustang with nothing fancy added. I wasn't into chrome parts, especially chromed rims or anything like most people enjoy. Nope...just appreciated the beauty of a classic stock car from the late 60's. Yes I had my eye on a '67 Camaro but decided I didn't want a muscle car. I wanted a car that was sleek yet when needed could pull an 1/8 mile run worthy of any competitor. Metaphorically, a wolf in sheeps clothing.

The only thing that wasn't stock was the sound system. Sweet! I don't remember all the makes and models, but I'll tell you people heard me coming 1/4 mile away. lol I had a Pioneer AM/FM Cassette stereo connected to a 10 band equalizer/100 amplifier. Of course I had two speakers just to handle all that juice. When it was cranked, the car vibrated and you were basically deaf for days. And just so you know, I've not grown out of that love for thundering tunes properly equalized. There is nothing like it...

One evening cruising through back country roads I had Van Halen's album 1984 blaring. "Panama" rocked and so did "Top Jimmy" along with all the other great songs. Like who can forget, amongst us guys, the video for "Hot for Teacher"? Not only did the song kick a$$ but the video did as well. I came thundering into a small town about 20 miles south of Indianapolis and barely slowed down from my cruising speed of 50 mph. I knew the townspeople so I wasn't worried about getting a ticket...Grandma knew the town marshall. He and I had been fishing many times and were friends albeit different generations. As I came into the center of town I slowed down to navigate the treacherous railroad crossing. I slowed down to 40 mph and braced myself for a bumpy crossing. Music is still thundering and I'm singing away!

I never heard the train whistle nor looked both ways before roaring across. It wasn't until my back-end lost traction and I spun 180 degrees did I see the train. The wind force of the train moving at 60 mph spun my '68 'Stang around like it was a Matchbox car. I even found a scratch on my trunks backside that came from the train. I light scratch as if I'd been keyed. I surmized it came from something on the train. Actually I didn't want to know...

Ever since that day, each railroad crossing I come to I make sure my radio is turned down and I look both ways. Even if Van Halens "Top Jimmy" is playing...