Radio frequency and crossing gates

[Anonymous]

Walking along the former wabash main here, I recently noticed short sections of rail near gated crossings had been spray painted blue, and had sensor wires of some sort running into a plate shaped box mounted between the rails...

Stenciled on each of the several plates located nearby (multiple crossings) was what appeared to be long wave radio frequencies, such as "280 Hz Ross Avenue" or "318 Hz Smith Rd"...and a quick inspection showed that each cross road had it's own frequency.

I suspect this to be a fairly recent installation, since the paint and all were so sparkling new looking, and the dudes in the white trucks were just out there the day before working on the rails and gate control cabinets.

Well, I was just a casual observer, sitting back and watching a few freights,...until I noticed the gates triggering for no reason,...not once,...not twice, but 3 times within a 10 minute period...

Stopping quite a few cars in the process...

Are these new gate controls that prone to "falsing"?

[Hugh Jampton]

AC track circuit frequencies, possibly jointless if there's lots of crossings close together.
If they're new probably a few teething troubles.

[spbed]

I've seen the engineer control the crossing gates in Ft. Madison & Daggett. [:o)][:)][:D]

Originally posted by TheAntiGates

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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