Western Railroad Discussion > Flashing X's at Crossings Torrington WY?

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the purpose is of flashing X's at crossings on BNSF in Torrington WY.

Thanks in advance.
Ronda Thomas

Crossing has Horns at the crossing, so when the X's are flashing, the train does not need to sound the whistle for the crossing.

The advantage is that the horns at the crossing are targeted at approaching traffic, so they do not need to be as loud to be effective.

The neighbors seem to be happier.

BSB

Are the X's facing towards the trains?  Is the area a quiet zone?  Are there wayside warning devices? If yes to all of these, the flashing X's are to inform train crews that the wayside warning system is active and functioning and that horn useage is not required. The UP has this system in place in Sabetha, Seneca and Axtell, KS. 

imrl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are the X's facing towards the trains?  Is the
> area a quiet zone?  Are there wayside warning
> devices? If yes to all of these, the flashing X's
> are to inform train crews that the wayside warning
> system is active and functioning and that horn
> useage is not required. The UP has this system in
> place in Sabetha, Seneca and Axtell, KS. 

Also in Riverside, CA   This is the poor man's Quiet Zone.

The east end of Irondale siding in Commerce City, east of Denver has the same thing. This would be on the BNSF Brush Sub.

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

They did something similar years ago in Marysville, KS on the UP. Out here at Tower A on the Southwest Drive crossing they made it restricted to run around the gates with elevated median curbs and it now is a no whistle zone.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

The situation you describe is used where there is not room for the raised median and other stuff to make going around gates very difficult.
Steve

I guess I'm lucky, the trains use there real whistle in Ritzville, which I think is better than fake horns and quite zones. I guess I'm just old fashioned, LOL. Interesting subject just the same.

Larry



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/15 22:43 by Ritzville.