One of the roads I commonly use crosses over a portion of a CSX mainline that has a paavssing siding. So yesterday I needed to use said road, so what happens? the CSX train parks way to short on the siding and blocks the crossing gate! whats worse is, it could easily have parked farther up on the siding!
Now I see why a lot of railfans think lowly of CSX :P
DavidH66 One of the roads I commonly use crosses over a portion of a CSX mainline that has a paavssing siding. So yesterday I needed to use said road, so what happens? the CSX train parks way to short on the siding and blocks the crossing gate! whats worse is, it could easily have parked farther up on the siding! Now I see why a lot of railfans think lowly of CSX :P
Not knowing where you live makes little difference... The Problems with CSX are common with many of the railroads[probably: all of them ats some time ( and many other business, as well) .
Trains block many crossings each day; at some point, all of us are victims of "timing" . We're in a hurry and our route is somehow delayed by a random happening.. The cost of these delays vary, individually.
Unfortunately, you apparently suffered particularly badly on this one So you take to your keyboard and visit your anger on the offending party [CSX]... It could have easily been NS, or BNSF or some other entity. The degree of which is depending upon whose ox is being gored at the time...
So a word of advice.." ...suck it up, and wait for the next time..."
Where we watch trains has 6 tracks. This is also right in the middle of a very old neighborhood with school children.
Trains set out bad order cars here a lot at this crossing and cut this neighborhood in half. The city built a tunnel for pedestrians but w/o constant upkeep people are reluctant to use it.
I have timed some of these blockages @ up to 45 min. People adapt cuz it isn't going to change!
This is BNSF territory.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Two words: Alternate route.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
In addition to the circumstances you cite, there are many good reasons to disdain CSX, but never allow facts to get in the way of good story.
You think they do that on purpose?
How about helping them out? There are two ways. If you can get close to the head end, get the crew's attention and let them know. They'll gladly pull down a bit.
Or, call the 800 number on the crossing and talk to CSX. They'll have the dispatcher talk to the train.
I have the same issue near where I live and have employed both methods successfully.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
haha guy!
Maybe I wasn't clear about this in my post, but my complaint is about how the engineer could easily have parked the train further up the siding. I guess I dont get why the train was parked there when it didn't have to be.
DavidH66 haha guy! Maybe I wasn't clear about this in my post, but my complaint is about how the engineer could easily have parked the train further up the siding. I guess I dont get why the train was parked there when it didn't have to be.
Your supposition and the reality of the operational abilities of the train may not be in agreement! Nothing in railroading is as easy as it appears from the outside. Do you know if the locomotives were working and had sufficient power to move the train from where it sat? Do you know if the train had a mechanical malfunction that prevented its movement until the defect was fixed? Unless you know the answer to these, and potentially a dozen other questions you cannot make the assertion that the train 'didn't have to be there'.
Sorry for your incovience.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
RudyRockvilleMDSome states have laws allowing trains to block grade crossings for no more than a certain amount of time. If a train has to occupy the grade crossing for an extended period of time the dispatcher will order the crew to cut the train so as to clear the grade crossing.
All well and good - IN THEORY. In many cases because of mechanical issues the portion of the train blocking the crossing can't be moved, despite the crew's desire to cut the crossing. When cutting a crossing it can take 30 minutes to an hour (depending on train length & crossing location) to get the Conductor in position to make the cut - additionally when making the train solid, the crossing could be blocked even longer as a Class 1 brake test may have to be done on any cars that were not attached to the trains brake system for longer than 4 hours; and the conductor must also get back on the locomotives for the train to move.
BaltACDIn many cases because of mechanical issues the portion of the train blocking the crossing can't be moved...
Indeed - The loco I was running on Saturday decided to quit, probably due to a failed oil pressure sensor (I haven't heard yet). It sat where it stopped for the rest of the day. Fortunately, it wasn't blocking the other train or, worse, the mainline. It happens.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
The point is:
a) he didn't know - thought he was clear
b) he had to be where he was for reasons not known to us
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