Over the years many sightings of UFOs have been reported. There’s even a considerable amount of Alien encounters and Abduction cases that have been reported and studied. However, rarely do reports come in where individuals collide with these unknown objects. Today’s story is truly remarkable in that there exists various physical evidence that something strange did happen.
As reported by the CSX engineer on board the train that day, On January 14th, 2002, at 2:47 am, a coal train in transit from Russell, Kentucky to Shelbiana, Kentucky, collided with an unknown hovering object. The object was described as 10 feet high and about 20 feet in length. It was a metallic looking disc, with multiple-colored lights near the bottom and in the middle. There were no windows or openings of any kind.
As the engineer described, both the trailing unit and first two cars were severely damaged. He knew it was 2:47 because his watch froze, and to this day the watch shows that time. Along with his watch the entire electrical systems on both locomotives went haywire. Approaching a bend near milepost 42 in an area referred to as the Wild Kingdom, for the many different types of animals spotted there, the conductor and engineer saw lights coming from around the way. ordinarily, this means another train is coming and will pass on the other track.
The engineer killed the lights as not to blind the oncoming crew.
As they rounded the corner their onboard computer began to flash in and out, the speed recorder went nuts, and both locomotives died. Alarm bells began to ring and that’s when they saw the objects. (Did UFO’s appear at Chicago O’hare Airport?)
Apparently, the UFOs were scanning the river for something. At least three objects had several “search” lights shining there. The first object hovered about 10 to 12 feet above the track. It was metallic silver in color with multiple-colored lights near the bottom and in the middle. There were no windows or openings of any kind that they could see. It was 18 to 20 feet in length and probably ten feet high.
With both engines dead as they rounded the corner the train made little noise and the first object did not respond in time, the engineer estimated that they hit the object at 30 mph with 16,000 trailing tons behind them. It clipped the top of their lead unit then skipped back slicing a chunk out of the trailing unit and first two coal cars.
At this point, the other objects vanished. The emergency brakes then initiated due to the loss of power, and they stopped approximately a mile and a half to two miles after impact. The power restored after they were stopped and the men notified their dispatcher, located in Jacksonville, Florida of what had happened.
They were told to inspect the cars to see if they’d hold the rail and try to limp into milepost 60 which used to be the Paintsville yard which was no longer in full operation. They checked everything out and the cab of the rear locomotive was demolished and smoking, the second two cars looked as if they had been hit with a giant hammer, but looked like they’d hold the rail.
As the men pulled into Paintsville yard at approximately 5:15 am., The huge overhead lights lining the yard were noticeably dark and the only lights came from what they assumed were railroad officials’ vehicles parked near the end of the track. They pulled to a stop.
Then they could hear what sounded like an army of workers immediately tending to the train. Vehicle doors slamming, guys running by in weird outfits and lights glaring from all directions, the one thing missing was railroad officials. A guy named Ferguson shook the engineer’s hand and asked him to follow into the old yard office. As they did, once inside the men were clueless when they started to be questioned. As hundreds of questions were being asked, they told the men for their own protection they’d be medically tested before they could leave.
The engineer asked repeatedly to talk to his road foreman or trainmaster and not only were these requests denied but they confiscated the conductor’s cellular phone. Hours later they were led outside the old yard office and strange things continued to happen. The 2 locomotives and two cars were removed from the rest of the train.
Parked 4 tracks over under a huge tent like structure it was buzzing with activity. The men didn’t see too much around this, but were led off the property and told, due to national security, their silence on this matter would be appreciated.
They were then put in a railroad vehicle and taken to Martin, Kentucky where they went through questioning again with railroad officials and were then drug tested. (Read About Kentucky’s Most Famous UFO Case)
After all of this they were sent on to Shelbiana, where they rested for 8 hours and worked another train back to Russell. Working back the men passed by Paintsville, with no sign of the engines, cars, tent, or people. It was as if nothing had ever happened.
As this story circulated on the internet there have been many that claim this never happened. For one, there doesn’t appear to be any additional eyewitnesses and no reports of strange activity from locals on that night. Also, many point out it seems unlikely that UFOs, with their advanced technology, would collide with a train.
Still others are not so sure. The most famous UFO incident in modern history was a UFO crash, at Roswell, so there is a precedent for these crafts crashing. Also, if the witness had lied about the story, then why would he do so? The engineer, if he didn’t provide his name or information, wouldn’t be able to benefit either financially or through fame.
The story was reported to MUFON, and it seems the person might just be looking for answers.
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