Eastern Railroad Discussion > Who had control of the crossing gates?

During the last several nights on the RailStream Fostoria, OH, PTZ camera, I've seen NS trains that were stopping for a CSX-NS crossover signal get close enough to a grade crossing to bring down the crossing gates.  With the NS train stopped short of the grade crossing, the gates returned to their up position and the crossing lights went dark.  After the CSX train had cleared the diamond, the gates came down again, the lights went to blinking, and the NS train continued on its way.  My question is: Who had control of the grade crossing gates to cause them to raise while the NS train waited short of the grade crossing, and then to return the gates to normal operation when the NS train began to move? Thanks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/21 21:22 by qed479.

Motion sesnor detectors.  When the train stops the gates go up.  When the train starts the motion is detected and the gates go down again.

Crossings with consistent warning times and timeouts. If consistent warning times are programmed the crossing detects the speed of the train and activates the crossing to make sure the warning isn't too long or too short. What you are seeing in this example is a timeout. When the train stops short of the "island" circuit at the crossing the system cancels the activation until the train moves again. Note that these detections are done through the rail, not a radar gun pointed down the track or a motion detector like you use entering Walmart.
 

NJ Transit has several of these circuits at stations where a busy grade crossing is adjacent.

Train approaches the station and crossing, gates go down. Train stops short of the crossing, gates go up.

Train advances a few feet, gates go down.

A number of pedestrians, bike riders, and motorists have been killed by OTHER trains overtaking in multiple track territory.

Posted from Android

Metra in Chicago has installed lit signs to warn of a second train. A train on a second track has proven deadly in many places across the country. The old "2 tracks" (or more) signs under the crossbucks have proven ineffective against preventing all incidents.

rantoul Wrote:
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> A number of pedestrians, bike riders, and
> motorists have been killed by OTHER trains
> overtaking in multiple track territory.
>
> Wouldn't the overtaking train's movement trigger
> the gates and bells?


In theory, yes. But you see the locomotive on the near track is a good distance zway.

They don't see the other train...

Posted from Android

Little bit of information on crossing protection on the NS at Fostoria.
The three crossings between Wood Street and Town Street diamonds are maintained by CSX
Main, Poplar, Columbus Avenue.

Posted from iPhone

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> In theory, yes. But you see the locomotive on the near track is a good distance zway.
>
> They don't see the other train...

Exactly. The person sees the gates activate and assumes that it is for the obvious train that is either moving slow or facing/moving away. Unless they see the other train (which may be obscured by the first) they may not know there is a second train until it is upon them. (A good reason to NEVER cross the tracks when gates or lights are activated.)

Second trains have been a proven problem when going around stopped trains as well as when they get to a crossing just as an opposing train clears.

Are not crew members in these overtake situations supposed to flag the crossing for the other train? How can anyone sit there and let an accident like this happen? 

Some railroads have rules for high risk situations (such as passing a passenger train or station when another train is stopped). Stopping trains at every crossing where this could potentially happen would cause gridlock. The lights and gates are there to provide the protection.

halfmoonharold Wrote:
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> Are not crew members in these overtake situations
> supposed to flag the crossing for the other train?
> How can anyone sit there and let an accident like
> this happen? 
No they are not supposed to flag multi million dollar crossings. They are supposed to remain on their train doing their job to keep their train ready to proceed when it is their turn. Most people have a brain it is their choice to use it or not. The decision to go around lowered gates may not turn out in your favor

Posted from Android

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. QED479