Bob.M Thanks for the info, Stix. So basically it says Stop, but don't Stop. I suspect that a driver could get a ticket from the town police for violating the town Stop sign.
Thanks for the info, Stix. So basically it says Stop, but don't Stop. I suspect that a driver could get a ticket from the town police for violating the town Stop sign.
Well ya, it means at some point someone (the city, the county, etc.) requested the crossing be made "exempt" so that buses and other vehicles that are required to stop at all railroad crossings no longer had to stop. Most likely at some point after that, someone else (the county, the state, the railroad etc.) decided to require all vehicles to stop at the crossing by putting up the octagon STOP sign.
Note that in recent years many grade crossings that don't have flashing crossbucks and/or gates have had red STOP signs added to them, requiring people to stop and look before crossing the tracks. May be the city or county decided to add STOP signs at all grade crossings so put one here also.
What "exempt" meant in Ca.: permitted vehicles required to stop and assure safe crossing was possible, didn't have to.
Busses: school, Muni-, handicapped, (old term) Blue Pooches were required to stop at every railroad crossing of a vehicle road. Haz-mat carriers also had to insure safe crossing.
Spurs to industries, feeble branches and once-a-month service to a plastic pellet carload business got the "exempt" sign on crossings to their "spots."
But, when train and yard crew were required by rules to "protect", using rags and flames, or when integrated roadway traffic signals were involved, "exempt" would lie under the other protection.
Thank you Henry, for your important, added information.
Ralph
A legal stop sign on a legal highway means STOP! Doesn't matter where it is or who put it there, it means STOP. If you don't stop you have no defense if ticketed. If you don't stop and get hit by another vehicle...train, car, truck, bus...or if you strike a vehicle or person because you didn't stop, you have no defense. So, whats to equivocate? If you think such a sign is illegal or ill advised, take it to the local authorities: highway department, police agencie, DOT, town council, etc.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
I gave what seems to be a rude, or stupid reply, but regardless of an "Exempt" sign, the "Stop" sign will take precedence, when and where safety is concerned.
EXACTAMUNDO!!!!!!
I looked up "Exempt-crossing signs" in my state's (Minnesota's) statutes/rules.
Normally some vehicles are required to stop at all grade crossings, like school buses. The law says the exempt signs "are to inform drivers of vehicles carrying passengers for hire, school buses carrying children, or vehicles carrying flammable or hazardous materials that a stop is not required at certain designated grade crossings, except when a train, locomotive, or other railroad equipment is approaching or occupying the crossing or the driver's view of the sign is blocked."
It says individuals, public agencies, rail carriers and others may submit a request to the Commissioner of Transportation for the exempt sign / status.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=8830.0750
A little poking around using Google Earth shows that the stop sign was there when Google took their "Streetview" picture, but the Exempt sign was added later. It also shows that they were ripping up the track where it crosses route 140, and yes, this track goes through Somers. There is an Exempt sign on Rte 140, but no stop sign. Guess it is up to the town to remove the unneeded stop sign.
Exempt would indicate that there is no rail traffic and has to be authorized to be there. However, we don't know who put up the stop sign and when and if it is authorized. The track is evidently out of service but not abandoned nor cut off from an active track. Therefore safety rule one is in effect: expect a movement on any track, at any time, in any direction. Exempt does not mean to throw caution to the wind but that the crossing does not require gates and lights because of the (lack of any) volume of rail traffic nor road traffic. The stop sign is a standard highway stop sign approved by all juristictions for public and private indications, so the railroad, the property owner, or any of those who own and or maintain the highway itself, could have placed it. Answer all the above questions and we would have a clearer understanding.
K4sPRR "Ask Trains" from June 2008 answered this question, it basically is used to benefit commercial drivers and those hauling hazardous materials. In some situations it may be better to allow the vehicle to continue moving rather than stopping at a crossing which may endanger a roadway intersection that is near the crossing. It does not necessarily have to be a crossing with low or no train traffic, but the exempt sign does indicate to the driver to be cautious before crossing. Track visibility at all angles is a strong consideration. Several senario's are discussed in the column and they add the rules may vary from state to state.
"Ask Trains" from June 2008 answered this question, it basically is used to benefit commercial drivers and those hauling hazardous materials. In some situations it may be better to allow the vehicle to continue moving rather than stopping at a crossing which may endanger a roadway intersection that is near the crossing. It does not necessarily have to be a crossing with low or no train traffic, but the exempt sign does indicate to the driver to be cautious before crossing. Track visibility at all angles is a strong consideration.
Several senario's are discussed in the column and they add the rules may vary from state to state.
I don't see how the word "EXEMPT" indicates to be cautious. My definition of EXEMPT is that certain special rules DO NOT apply here. It would mean to me to "throw caution to the wind, the implied danger of a RR crossing does not apply here". The two signs, "STOP" and "EXEMPT" are totally contradictory.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Over by Somers? I lived up in Springfield in the late 60's and used to roam that area almost every weekend I didn't go north! The town may have put the stop sign there, but it is doubtful, the exempt sign had to be authrorized if not placed by the STB or FRA or NTSB or whoever it is in charge of crossings on Federal level these days. With those two signs, and your statement of traffic, it would be safe to say the track is out of service but not abandoned. Which short line is the supposed operator and is it owned by a private company or a government agency?
It is not a siding, but as I mentioned, there hasn't been a train there in years. The tracks go from East Hartford to Massachussets well to the east of the CT river. There is an active line just west of the river. Current owner/ operator is CNZR or Central New England RR. It serves a fertilizer distribution warehouse about 2 miles south of this crossing. 1 mile north is "Depot Street" where there is a siding which served a lumber yard, now defunct. 2 miles north of the crossing is a wooden trestle which would not support a train.
One thing I just thought of which may explain why the stop sign is there, is that it is placed by the town, and the EXEMPT sign is put there by the RR..
Everybody has to stop, but busses don't have to open the door to look?
Another thought that comes to mind is that it is not a crossing of a railroad line but rather an industrial siding maybe even within the propery of said industry and track is owned by the industry not the railroad. Lots of different things cause lots of different things.
Actually yes, it does make sense. It does give the motorist both warning and responsiblity for his own safety without there being warning lights and gates. What we don't know is the location, type of road (traffic frequency), railroad and its attending line and general and specific operating rules. I wonder if there are warning...even stop...signs for the trains, too. Is it a running track or a siding into an industry? Lots more quesitons need be answered before yours can be answered.
Does this make sense? I thought "Exempt" meant no stop required. There hasn't been a train on this line in years.
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter