Mandatory Stop

[Anonymous]

Okay, so by law all long vehicles, buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials have to make a mandatory stop at every RR crossing. What else?
Have you seen anyone break that law?

[Anonymous]

Okay, so by law all long vehicles, buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials have to make a mandatory stop at every RR crossing. What else?
Have you seen anyone break that law?

[jchnhtfd]

Surely you jest... every day. Regularly. And I just hope I'm not the guy in the front office when one doesn't quite make it.
See Tueday's lead on the Trains newswire. That truck didn't give the BNSF guys a sporting chance.

[jchnhtfd]

Surely you jest... every day. Regularly. And I just hope I'm not the guy in the front office when one doesn't quite make it.
See Tueday's lead on the Trains newswire. That truck didn't give the BNSF guys a sporting chance.

[Anonymous]

I know a farmer who tried to beat a train carrying a cultivator and some chemicals. The whole tractor, cultivator and chemical tank was dragged for a couple hundred feet before detaching. He was ticketed but, luckily the tank did not rupture.

[Anonymous]

I know a farmer who tried to beat a train carrying a cultivator and some chemicals. The whole tractor, cultivator and chemical tank was dragged for a couple hundred feet before detaching. He was ticketed but, luckily the tank did not rupture.

[zardoz]

I've sometimes wondered about that law. The idea behind it assumes that a driver carring dangerous cargo or people would actually be smart enough to not pull out in front of a train, so by making a mandatory stop, the driver would have a better opportunity to see a train coming.

Many, many times I have approached grade grossings, and in the distance I could see a truck or bus making the mandatory stop and procede across the crossing, even with out train bearing down on them. So if the moron is going to cross anyway, I would rather he do it at speed where it takes only a few seconds to cross the tracks, than from a full stop, which then takes many more seconds to cross, assuming he doesn't kill the engine by trying to get going too fast, then stalling on the tracks.

Like so many laws, they are good in concept, but not in actuallity.

[zardoz]

I've sometimes wondered about that law. The idea behind it assumes that a driver carring dangerous cargo or people would actually be smart enough to not pull out in front of a train, so by making a mandatory stop, the driver would have a better opportunity to see a train coming.

Many, many times I have approached grade grossings, and in the distance I could see a truck or bus making the mandatory stop and procede across the crossing, even with out train bearing down on them. So if the moron is going to cross anyway, I would rather he do it at speed where it takes only a few seconds to cross the tracks, than from a full stop, which then takes many more seconds to cross, assuming he doesn't kill the engine by trying to get going too fast, then stalling on the tracks.

Like so many laws, they are good in concept, but not in actuallity.

[JoeKoh]

I haven't but if I do some school district is getting a call or the drivers boss.
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

I haven't but if I do some school district is getting a call or the drivers boss.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

School bus drivers have to stop, open their door (don't know why) and then proceed. The whole process takes about 15-25 seconds.

[Anonymous]

School bus drivers have to stop, open their door (don't know why) and then proceed. The whole process takes about 15-25 seconds.

[JoeKoh]

they open the door to listen for trains and kids have to be quiet. the bus doesn't move until they are sure its clear(at least what I remember lots of band trips by bus)
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

they open the door to listen for trains and kids have to be quiet. the bus doesn't move until they are sure its clear(at least what I remember lots of band trips by bus)
stay safe
joe

[Puckdropper]

If you open the door, or even crack the windows a bit, you'll be able to hear outside better. I heard a train quite a ways away and came back to watch it.

[Puckdropper]

If you open the door, or even crack the windows a bit, you'll be able to hear outside better. I heard a train quite a ways away and came back to watch it.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Puckdropper

If you open the door, or even crack the windows a bit, you'll be able to hear outside better. I heard a train quite a ways away and came back to watch it.

That's because you were unconsciously listening for it. I can wake out of a dead sleep and hear a train whistle, but sleep thru traffic noise outside on our street. Or nap at trackside until a train whistles in the distance - but don't let that get out!

Mookie

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Puckdropper

If you open the door, or even crack the windows a bit, you'll be able to hear outside better. I heard a train quite a ways away and came back to watch it.

That's because you were unconsciously listening for it. I can wake out of a dead sleep and hear a train whistle, but sleep thru traffic noise outside on our street. Or nap at trackside until a train whistles in the distance - but don't let that get out!

Mookie

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1

I've sometimes wondered about that law... Many, many times I have approached grade grossings, and in the distance I could see a truck or bus making the mandatory stop and procede across the crossing, even with out train bearing down on them. So if the moron is going to cross anyway, I would rather he do it at speed where it takes only a few seconds to cross the tracks, than from a full stop, which then takes many more seconds to cross, assuming he doesn't kill the engine by trying to get going too fast, then stalling on the tracks.

Like so many laws, they are good in concept, but not in actuallity.

Got a point there. I've seen it, too... seems that the stop becomes a habit, and nobody is paying any attention anyway. You would think the driver would see us, though -- there are enough lights on up front these days.

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1

I've sometimes wondered about that law... Many, many times I have approached grade grossings, and in the distance I could see a truck or bus making the mandatory stop and procede across the crossing, even with out train bearing down on them. So if the moron is going to cross anyway, I would rather he do it at speed where it takes only a few seconds to cross the tracks, than from a full stop, which then takes many more seconds to cross, assuming he doesn't kill the engine by trying to get going too fast, then stalling on the tracks.

Like so many laws, they are good in concept, but not in actuallity.

Got a point there. I've seen it, too... seems that the stop becomes a habit, and nobody is paying any attention anyway. You would think the driver would see us, though -- there are enough lights on up front these days.