I have seen the spot a few times.
Poor visibility during the snowstorm.
http://wwlp.com/investigative-story/amtrak-dpu-responsible-for-signaling-devices-at-railroad-crossings/
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
What caught my eye in the linked aticle was multiple fatal incidents involving vehicles stopped on the tracks. Seems to me that simply closing the crossing would be the best approach.
erikemWhat caught my eye in the linked aticle was multiple fatal incidents involving vehicles stopped on the tracks. Seems to me that simply closing the crossing would be the best approach.
In today's age in the NE - if a crossing doesn't have sufficient traffic to DEMAND automatic crossing protection - it should be closed - especially on a Main Track railroad operation.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Looking at the satellite map of the crossing, and general area, I am amazed that they have had that number of incidents there.
About the only use for the crossing is as a "back entrance" to a number of houses along the Connecticut River that can also be reached by what looks to be a protected crossing. That, and several farm fields.
Looking at street view, there is a bit of a hump over the tracks, but nothing that should cause problems for a driver. Weather notwithstanding, there is a clear view of the tracks in both directions.
Closing the crossing sounds like a reasonable solution...
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...
Something amiss there. The FRA database indicated the Birnie Rd crossing closed as of 1980.
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/publicsite/crossing/XingLocResults.aspx?state=25&countycity=0624,&railroad=&reportinglevel=ALL&radionm=City&street=birnie&xingtype=%&xingstatus=%&xingpos=1
That was the last update in the FRA database.
However, there are crossbucls and signs at the crossing, the road is paved, crossing looks in good shape, and the Google Earth Street View camera has been down that road. It leads to the Longmeadow Conservation Area. There have been four accidents listed since the date of closure. Someone at FRA forgot to update something.
Norm
Norm: FRA not the problem...State DOT's demanded they have control. The updates are done by the local state DOT, then sent to FRA/DoT. (In the 1980's, the railroads had some input into the system and allowed the railroads to set up the initial database in the 1970's and post the numbers in the field (remember the laminated paper tags?) along with assist with the initial site inventory.) Railroad access is much more limited today.
The entire system, complete with new forms, was upgraded last year. In many places, that became a huge mess. (Colorado is a joke as far as data integrity goes.) For 9 months, the website was unusable and there are still issues getting access to the older records.
After looking at this, it's clear it's a data input integrity issue, probably at the state level by a non-railroader or somebody who never got their boots dirty.(watch what happens at the adjoining crossing at MP 58.14 on this old NH line)
Thanks MC,
When I was looking at the database I was wondering why it was so far out of date. Now I know.
A little follow up.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/longmeadow_railroad_crossing_form.html#incart_river_home
Many DPW workers in New England came to the funeral to show their support.
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