Eastern Railroad Discussion > Eejit's 4 second margin of victory at Porter Jct

As captured from Virtual Railfan's Port Jct IN live cam on Wednesday 2/25/26 at 1634 - 1635:

Eastbound NS 264-25 (Chicago to Ayer MA) IM train is approaching Wagner Rd grade crossing at Porter at ~30 mph.
At 1634:46, gates are down. 12 seconds later at 1634:58, eejit in white Acura slows for the crossing obviously intent on beating the 7,000 ft long 264.
At 1635:00, Acura is on the tracks and at 1635:04 pilot of AC44C6M 4233 crosses Wagner Rd.

Eejit wins this day by 4 seconds at the expense of 264's crew.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/26 02:04 by JPB.

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Another stupid driver and the only hope is that whoever is driving that the photos get sent to the police and perhaps a super heavy fine can be given to this driver.  No matter what, we cannot fix stupidity.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

*IF* NS has a history of blocking this crossing.....then I can't say that I blame Eejit. We all see the stories on here or in our own community of the RR blocking crossings for hours or even days like parked autoracks at Princeton, IN. Just sayin'.

CSX2605 Wrote:
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> *IF* NS has a history of blocking this
> crossing.....then I can't say that I blame Eejit.
> We all see the stories on here or in our own
> community of the RR blocking crossings for hours
> or even days like parked autoracks at Princeton,
> IN. Just sayin'.

I watch the Porter Jct live cam quite a bit and I rarely see stopped trains blocking Wagner Rd (unlike at Elkhart where long IM trains often stop and block the S Main St crossing near the Amtrak depot for quite awhile). There are > 100 daily NS+CSX+CPKC+Amtrak trains at Wagner Rd and most of them move at track speed unless they're crossing over at the interlocaking just east of the grade crossing or using the CSX Grand Rapids line. NS' 2 main tracks are bi-directionally signalled and although I don't see many overtakes on this cam but Eejit was fortunate that a faster eb train wasn't running around 264 at Wagner Rd. 

CSX2605 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> *IF* NS has a history of blocking this
> crossing.....then I can't say that I blame Eejit.
> We all see the stories on here or in our own
> community of the RR blocking crossings for hours
> or even days like parked autoracks at Princeton,
> IN. Just sayin'.

As one of the requirements EEJIT Fraternity I wonder if he filled out his 1 D 10 T Form properly?  Ben

JPB Wrote:
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> CSX2605 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > *IF* NS has a history of blocking this
> > crossing.....then I can't say that I blame
> Eejit.
>
> I watch the Porter Jct live cam quite a bit and I
> rarely see stopped trains blocking Wagner Rd
> (unlike at Elkhart where long IM trains often stop
> and block the S Main St crossing near the Amtrak
> depot for quite awhile). 

Agree completely with JPB. This crossing in Porter is rarely blocked, and if it is, it's not for very long. Not only do I watch the cam regularly to know this, but have visited the location many, many times. This is a section of track which the NS dispatcher must keep fluid, and they do.

I have zero sympathy for the automobile driver's actions in this case, and you, " CSX2605" , shouldn't either - even if the crossing were one that is often blocked, which it isn't. Their actions were completely, utterly irresponsible and extraordinarily risky. He or she is very, very lucky. I hope the cops get the license number, review the whole recording from the camera, and pursue the driver with a ticket leading to a conviction and a very stiff fine.

Finally, the comparison to Elkhart is completely inappropriate. Maybe you've never been there, but there are multiple routes close at hand around that crossing just east of the station with over- or under-crossings of the NS tracks. They are quick and easy to use. The locals all know where they are and how to use them, and even a visitor can figure them out pretty easily. In fact, the locals tend to use them as preferred routes, and the crossing by the station therefore routinely has relatively light traffic by comparison - the nearby alternates are carrying the heavier traffic flows. That's why the locals there and the police don't throw fits when the crossing by the station is blocked by a long slow manifest entering Elkhart Yard. Two of the three alternate routes date well back in history to NYC days, and the third one around the curve east of the station added significant bypass capacity in recent years. It's just not a problem.

Maybe do some research and get your facts straight first before you make inappropriate and unwarranted comparisons. Particularly about a serious safety matter such as grade crossing safety. Oh, and by the way, I am neither a railroader nor in law enforcement. Just ordinary Joe Citizen who doesn't want to see people get hurt by failing to observe warnings and stop at grade crossings. Whether those people are pedestrians, drivers or railroaders.

MC

CSX2605 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> *IF* NS has a history of blocking this
> crossing.....then I can't say that I blame Eejit.
> We all see the stories on here or in our own
> community of the RR blocking crossings for hours
> or even days like parked autoracks at Princeton,
> IN. Just sayin'.

You might not be saying that from the CAB of the loco?!?!!  I, however, have some words for it that are not appropriate for Trainorders.......:</