big question . there is a crossing that I have reported to a certain RR that does not meet the 20 second rule noted. sometimes the gates do not get down until train is over crossing. Who do I go to so that it might get fixed? ..note does not happen every time.
greyhounds Having said that, a decelerating train will logically produce an activation interval longer than the set timing at the crossing. Taking your example of the suburban passenger train, if the train was traveling at 60 MPH when then circut first measured its speed the crossing would activate with the train 1/3 mile away in order to provide a 20 second warning. But the train didn't stay at 60 MPH. It was decelerating. It seems impractical to activate the crossing, then turn it off and on as the train's speed changes. So a decelerating train will logically lengthen the amount of time a crossing is activated. And those scoots decelerate at a fairly rapid rate.
Having said that, a decelerating train will logically produce an activation interval longer than the set timing at the crossing. Taking your example of the suburban passenger train, if the train was traveling at 60 MPH when then circut first measured its speed the crossing would activate with the train 1/3 mile away in order to provide a 20 second warning. But the train didn't stay at 60 MPH. It was decelerating. It seems impractical to activate the crossing, then turn it off and on as the train's speed changes.
So a decelerating train will logically lengthen the amount of time a crossing is activated. And those scoots decelerate at a fairly rapid rate.
Thanks for the information. The freight (at a different UP West crossing) was probably running at ~40-45 mph and the warning time was about 40 seconds. Perhaps the answer is longer warning times and four-quadrant gates (as they mostly once were where there were gates at all) to prevent drivers from going around? Expensive, but cheaper than separation.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
blue streak 1 big question . there is a crossing that I have reported to a certain RR that does not meet the 20 second rule noted. sometimes the gates do not get down until train is over crossing. Who do I go to so that it might get fixed? ..note does not happen every time.
Railroad police at their 800 number. Having the street name, mile post, and crossing number will help them get a signal maintainer to the right place.
Norm
Norm48327 blue streak 1 big question . there is a crossing that I have reported to a certain RR that does not meet the 20 second rule noted. sometimes the gates do not get down until train is over crossing. Who do I go to so that it might get fixed? ..note does not happen every time. Railroad police at their 800 number. Having the street name, mile post, and crossing number will help them get a signal maintainer to the right place.
Have done all that. Unfortunately this crossing is located many hundreds of miles from my location. Only vist it intermittenly so have not been able to follow up locally. at least 3 years has been occuring. Don't have identifier with me so what do I do the next time I visit ? call FRA?
blue streak 1 Norm48327 blue streak 1 big question . there is a crossing that I have reported to a certain RR that does not meet the 20 second rule noted. sometimes the gates do not get down until train is over crossing. Who do I go to so that it might get fixed? ..note does not happen every time. Railroad police at their 800 number. Having the street name, mile post, and crossing number will help them get a signal maintainer to the right place. Have done all that. Unfortunately this crossing is located many hundreds of miles from my location. Only vist it intermittenly so have not been able to follow up locally. at least 3 years has been occuring. Don't have identifier with me so what do I do the next time I visit ? call FRA?
Remember crossing protection gets activated in 2 ways.
1. Train makes a continuous move from the time the protection initially operates and the train operates through and clears the crossing.
2. Train gets to and activates the crossing protection and stops before operating through and clearing the crossing. The protection operates for a period of time and then times out; the protection stops operating. When the train starts moving again, it is operating at restricted speed (1/2 range of vision prepared to stop short of obstruction or train ahead). As the train is about to enter the crossing, the protection will operate again and stay in operation until the train either clears the crossing or backs out of the 'near detection zone' and the protection will time out again.
When trains are operating where option #2 is active there are MANY calls from outside parties about the protection not operating. On my carrier Signalman are dispatched every time to check it out, when the reality is that the protection is operating as it was designed to. On every carrier there are locations where trains perform pick ups and/or set offs as well as stoping short of a road crossing because of the location of the road crossing. Were the crossing protection to be active during the period of time that the train is visible but not trying to cross the road people would be more apt to disregard the protection when it is operating.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I don't knw how to make myself clearer. This is a 45 mph section and no sidings or interlockings. an adjaecent crossing about 1 block away has always operated correctly when I have observed the crossing in question being very late. could it be a wiring problem ? my local maintainer ( very wise ) says he has heard of this occurring before but not in his territory.
maybe take a video and show it to whom?
Contact your state's utility commission. Or you could call up the local congresscritter - they have staffers that can maybe take care of calling.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
blue streak 1 I don't knw how to make myself clearer. This is a 45 mph section and no sidings or interlockings. an adjaecent crossing about 1 block away has always operated correctly when I have observed the crossing in question being very late. could it be a wiring problem ? my local maintainer ( very wise ) says he has heard of this occurring before but not in his territory. maybe take a video and show it to whom?
Provide Specifics - Crossing by DOT Number, Time of occurence, Engine number and direction of travel.
Provide them both to the carrier and the FRA.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.