Are Railroads Eliminating Grade Crossing Hotlines?

[K. P. Harrier]

In one area, a flashers and gates grade crossing control box has had its specific crossing identification number sign REPLACED with a new sign that does NOT include the grade crossing hotline telephone number. Have so many helpful railfans called to report defects or problems that the railroad is now discouraging the practice? Why else would they eliminate the hotline number from the control box? Is the railroad afraid that after some railbuff saved the railroad a few million dollars A COUPLE OF TIMES, the fan may want to get something in return beside just moral satisfaction?

[Soo2610]

Can't say I've noticed. All the crossings I have seen still have the hotline number. What geographic area are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

You must drink wayyyyyyyyyyyyy tooooooooooo muuuuuuuucchhhhhhhhh coffee.

Either that or you are just a conspiracy hound.

[K. P. Harrier]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Soo2610

Can't say I've noticed. All the crossings I have seen still have the hotline number. What geographic area are you referring to?

Soo2610:

The geographic location is out west, specifically at M.P. 442.1 on the Union Pacific Bakersfield to West Colton line in California, between Tehachapi and Cajon Passes.

Super wishes,

K.P.

[overall]

Read in the trains news wire a couple of days ago that UP had to pay $30 million for a grade crossing accident. I would think they would want to keep the hotlines active. In fact, I would think they would want to eliminate as many grade crossings as possible.

George

[Anonymous]

Anything that can prevent a accident of any kind should be close embraced.I live in Saint John New Brunswick the home of Canada,s
largest oil refinery.petroleum products are dayly handled by both CN Rail
and New Brunswick Souther Railway.I shuddered at the of hornless diesles.
Safety is only safety if it works.

Eastern


Suport freedom which includes being a Railfan

[tree68]

If, indeed, the number was intentionally left off the sign, I would have to wonder if it has less to do with enthusiastic railfans than with prank calls. I haven't noticed the phenomenon here in the northeast - the crossings still have their signs last time I looked.

[Anonymous]

Most of the Class One's still have an emergency number on their website.

Just write that one down, or save it on your cell phone.

[Train Guy 3]

All the NS crossings around here still have the hotline number on them.

[Anonymous]

possibley because of national secerity?

[JoeKoh]

csx and ns have there #S on all the crossings here
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

The numbers are found here in Arkansas on the sheds next to the tracks.

The numbers are found in Missouri on the sheds next to the tracks.

And speaking of MISSOURI . . . . .

[Anonymous]

i have only seen 2 crossing in michigan that don't have plates. The were in Vassar. I wouldn't be al that worried becuase the r used about 2 times a week

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by overall

Read in the trains news wire a couple of days ago that UP had to pay $30 million for a grade crossing accident. I would think they would want to keep the hotlines active. In fact, I would think they would want to eliminate as many grade crossings as possible.

George

````````
UP, eh? They're probably planning to put in pay phones! [;)]

[mudchicken]

KPH:

UPRR started a new systemwide program that started last fall that replaced most of the old(er) plates with a newer 5 x 7 plate (Bright blue w/ white letters) that is set at right angles to the track. (Sent a pic to Mark Hemphill to post on another thread as I do not have the website on the side to aid in posting a photo here)...you might want to talk to Freddie Cheung at UP/Bloomington, CA and let him know something is not quite right here for some reason...Perhaps that new plate for that particular crossing got mislaid, lost or is on backorder from the signmaker?

From personal experience, I can vouch for the fact that people abuse the posted 1-800-PANIC numbers just like they do 911 dispatcher numbers. The folks that call and then can't relate where they are is also a problem - thus the posting of the DOT # (6 digits and a check letter)as well on the plate..("Main Street? - Which of the 5600 Main Streets on the stinkin' railroad are you talking about????[X-)][X-)]) ....In addition, California General Order #13-A requires that another number be listed by milepost location on a white plate with 1- 1/2 "black numerals at public crossings for all railroads since the 1950's with no telephone number attached to it . (You may be looking at that 13-A sign and the other one is nearby attached to another fixture) California would be wise to phase out the 13-A signs in favor of the panic #' plates favored by FRA, but that would require using common sense?(!) and we all know that cannot be allowed to happen in sunny CA...[:D][:D][:D][:D]

Mudchicken[banghead][banghead][banghead]
former LA roadmaster for one of the other railroads (the good one)