Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
I actually saw one of these used when I was a teenager at a rural diamond at Maxwellborn. Alabama. The main was the Seaboard it ran on through to Atlanta), and Southern was the branch line (ended a few miles up the road in Piedmont, AL). Late one afternoon, I was out for a drive, and saw the Southern local coming up the line. A crewman got off the train, unlocked a control box, and pushed a button. He had to wait for a bit, then the gate unlocked to where it swung 90 degrees to unblock the Southern and block the Seaboard. They pulled past, then reversed the process on the other side. There were two 90 degree gates either side of the diamond to block both sides, if memory serves me right. I may have a picture buried somewhere. Both lines are long gone now. <br /> <br />Years later, an in-law who worked for Southern gave me a timetable, and in it was the procedure for this crossing. The main thing was that there was a safety timer to ensure the gates could not be opened until the other line was sure to be clear, as well as a lockout on the blocks either side of the diamond to not allow the gates to swing until clear.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!