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[quote user="coborn35"] <blockquote> <div><img src="/TRCCS/Themes/trc/images/icon-quote.gif" /> Bucyrus:</div> <div></div> I believe that a train stopped on a signalized crossing where the signals have either failed to activate or have been taken out of service is far more likely to get run into than a train stopped on a non-signalized crossing, all other things being equal.    The reason being that many of the drivers would be familiar with the crossing, and would be less cautious when approaching a crossing that they believe is protected by automatic signals.   The fact that the railroad company requires crews to flag crossings with signals that have been taken out of service is a sure indication that they realize that such a crossing cannot be treated like just any other non-signalized crossing.  So the flagging rule is an acknowledgement that drivers will lower their guard and rely on the signals at signalized crossings.    It seems to me that railroads should therefore extend the flagging protection to the entire occupation of the crossing by a train when signals have been taken out of service.  Obviously if drivers have lowered their guard to the possibility of getting hit by a train, they will have also lowered their guard to the possibility of running into a stopped train.    <div style="clear:both;"></div>   </blockquote> Well I got hit in broad daylight yesterday while flagging a crossing so there goes your logic. You cant fix stupid. If someone is dumb enough to not see the huge train going by, feel the vibration, hear the noise or see the numerous reflective stripes going by, well, thats not the railroads fault. People commenting here have never flagged a crossing before. Standing outside while a 15 mph drag comes through with 150 cars in the middle of the night? With *** of people in cars? Are you kidding me? That is a recipe for disaster. Crew vans are already stretched thin as it is, this would just be another waste of their time. <div style="clear:both;"></div> [/quote] I have flagged lots of crossings.  But I know what you are saying.  Flagmen get run over sometimes.  There seems to be quite a propensity for drivers to hit cops when they have somebody pulled over.  You mentioned the movement and vibration, etc.  That probably helps reduce run-into-train crashes compared to situations where a train is standing still on a crossing.  I realize that flagging the whole train over the crossing would be a lot of work, but still, it would only be for some temporary duration at a particular crossing.  In the case of this Chicago double crash, I bet those drivers would not have hit the train if it were being flagged with a fusee.  <o:p></o:p> It was reported that they flagged with a fusee to enter the crossing, and that they left the fusee burning to continue to provide protection.  For all I know, the fusees may have been burning when the drivers hit the tank cars, but I tend to doubt it.  It would interesting to know the answer to that question if it can be answered.
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