ORAN GETS SAFER RAIL CROSSING; SIX KILLED AT SHELBY STREET IN 40 YEARS

ORAN -- After two years of persistence by Sylvia McGranahan's family, Oran has a safer railroad crossing.

A dedication ceremony was held Monday to officially open the crossing gate and signals on Shelby Street where McGranahan and a friend, Wanda Johns, were killed March 8, 1996.

The crossing had no gate or signals. In the past 40 years six people have died there.

"I know two for sure didn't have to die," said Jim McGranahan, who watched his mother die in the train accident. "If gates and lights were in effect on March 8, 1996, this wouldn't have happened.

"This is not a celebration," he said. "This is a dedication. Six people lost their lives here. I just want to see lives saved through these railroad crossings."

Oran Mayor Tom Urhahn said a group of citizens that included members of the McGranahan family worked with state legislators, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the railroad to get funding for the signals and gates.

Oran upgraded the crossing, making it wider, improving visibility and paving the street. The signals and gates have been operating for about six weeks.

Oran has three railroad crossings. Two have signals and gates. One doesn't.

Urhahn said the unprotected crossing has been placed on a priority list for signals. "We can't tell how long it's going to be, but it will be open with lights," Urhahn said.

Prior to the 1996 accident, Burlington Northern had approached the city about putting signals and gates at the Shelby Street crossing.

"It's was kind of an ultimatum," the mayor said. "We'll put in lights and gates if you close the other crossing. People at that end of town didn't want it closed."

Oran rejected signals and gates, and McGranahan says the community dropped the ball when it did so. Quicker action might have prevented his mother's death.

"It's a day I'll never forget. My life was changed, and my family's life was changed. I believe this community was changed."

In addition to the signals and gates, Oran plans to install stop signs at all the crossings.

"We urge all citizens of Oran, in order to be safe, to always stop, the mayor said. "Look both ways before you proceed."