Nostalgia & History > The "Perfect" Grade Crossing Warning Device - 1936

Here is an interesting 1936 grade crossing warning device ad from the Evans Product Company featuring a barrier that rises up from the roadway to stop traffic.

I know this concept has been explored over the years but I don't think it has been widely adopted here in the US.

Anyone out there ever encounter one of these Evans barriers?

Link to a larger version of the ad:
http://waidephoto.smugmug.com/Trains/Vintage-Railroad/1937-Evans-GX-1457/1252582566_f8Ume-X3.jpg

JMW

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These are common in Europe.

My first thought is that they would

1) be difficult to maintain
2) present serious operational problems in snowy climates, and
3) require tremendous -- and likely unattainable -- degrees of cooperation and communication between railroads and government roadway jurisdictions

Forgot to mention the lawyers that would just love to file a suit when someone hit the barrier.


Nudge

Too bad this crossing south of McGraw (yard lead into W Sand Creek) doesn't have 1936 technology. At the moment, it doesn't have ANY technology...

santafe199

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The crossing gates used on the promised 110 MPH UP line in Illinois will not stop a speeding car. What is the spec on speed of vehicle these kind of barriers in Europe are designed to stop? Placed far enough back and high enough to actually stop or hang up a car that got over it makes sense. If fear of lawyers stops us from saving lives and the cost of repairing damages caused by an actual car-train collision, shame on us.

Another ad:

http://www.periodpaper.com/index.php/1937-ad-evans-products-detroit-auto-stop-railway-car

There's also a brief article about the device on p.18 of this document (and some commentary about driving into the side of trains on p.9):

http://muellermuseum.org/library/MR_NewsLetters/Mueller_Record_Jul_1935g.pdf

spnudge Wrote:
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> Forgot to mention the lawyers that would just love
> to file a suit when someone hit the barrier.
>
>
> Nudge

Or even "nudge" the barrier ... :-)

Picture of the famous Siren or Screaming crossing as the locals around here used to call it. This device had neon lights and an air-raid siren that could be heard all over Grenada. This device was developed by W.A. Billups, a Grenada native. This crossing had numerous deadly accidents, one of which was someone in his family and thus inspired him to create this unique warning device. Mr.Billups tried to market his invention but the idea never took off and to my knowledge, this was the only one ever built. The device was installed in 1940 and lasted untill 1970. The crossing is still here but all that remains of this device is the concrete blocks that supported it. Picture was taken sometime in 1940. quote by Joe Mararscalco

see this signal here:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1675680

Too bad there isn't a movie of that Grenada crossing in action!

http://www.videosurf.com/video/skull-and-crossbones-crossing-wmv-1261267782

There is an animation...Check it out with the Volume turned up and enjoy!!!

How would you have liked to live near here???????????????? :)

I believe that some of the proposed grade crossing barriers involve pylons that rise from the pavement to prevent people from running around gates. I've wondered about the problem of maintaining those, especially in a climate like Chicago's.

On the other hand, Lake Shore Drive in Chicago used to have lane dividers that would rise from the pavement. They were used when there were reversible lanes on the Drive. I don't recall how well they worked, but they are now long gone.

colehour Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I believe that some of the proposed grade crossing
> barriers involve pylons that rise from the
> pavement to prevent people from running around
> gates. I've wondered about the problem of
> maintaining those, especially in a climate like
> Chicago's.
>
> On the other hand, Lake Shore Drive in Chicago
> used to have lane dividers that would rise from
> the pavement. They were used when there were
> reversible lanes on the Drive. I don't recall how
> well they worked, but they are now long gone.

NS and the Michigan DOT are testing a pylon-equipped crossing on the NS Michigan Line at Denton Road in Van Buren Township, just a couple of miles from my house.

MDOT web site news story, with links to press releases: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-11056-200723--,00.html

YouTube video showing the crossing in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44bE0jsQHEk

Thanks for the link to the YouTube video!

Anyone know what street the Screaming Crossing was on in Grenada, MS?

Buckingham Palace is protected by considerably more robust versions of this device.
...Lorenzo