mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 10/04/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
I'm speaking generally for any RV, TT, PUP, 5ver, although I don't think PUPs really need to worry.
But it got me wondering about a couple things, I've been driving in the mountain states and noticed a variety of grade crossings some with no gates some that are quite large have multiple tracks running through and some are so close to the intersection you can't cross over unless you have an absolute green light unless you want your tail to be clipped off.
I saw a typical pickup with a gooseneck stock trailer stop at the grade before crossing even though he had room to safely stop at the red light but there were no grade guard gates but this particular grade had 2 straight tracks and then 15ft more was a curved track leading to a siding. I can see where it might be a GOOD idea to stop and look for trains/MOWs especially on multiple tracks with no grade guards.
my truck plus the 5ver is almost 60ft long, Semi trucks don't have a problem they are a tad longer than that and fly through the grade crossings and don't even flinch.
I am not going to stop at every grade crossing I am about to cross but if I suspect its a busy track or MOWs have been sighted I might take the perchance caution to stop and look... MOWs don't trigger the grade guards and funny thing is I got to hear an MOW blast its siren when crossing the grade and it sounds just like what a fire truck or ambulance uses except not as loud... THAT is scary! (especially for someone who doesn't see/hear MOWs on a regular basis).
Do you or have you stopped at grades because you felt it was safer? (other than if there wasn't enough room to safely clear the grade at a red light) I know that school busses are required to regardless of length and regardless if they have passengers or not.
'01 F350SD
'03 35' Victory Lane TH
'07 50cc Sym JetEuro moped/scooter
'10 Giant Cypress Bicycle
Isabel- my dog
Where I've gone RVing: New State added!
|
janechucknicodemus
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 10/13/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Sounds Like he is just a little brighter than some. A red light means STOP! And by the time you hear the ding ding ding, it may be too late.
Good luck
|
mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 10/04/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
janechucknicodemus wrote:Sounds Like he is just a little brighter than some. A red light means STOP! And by the time you hear the ding ding ding, it may be too late.
Good luck
I'll rephrase as I was babbling about different experiences
there was NO train crossing/approaching, NO red light and NO grade guard but there were 2 straight tracks and a 3rd one was curved. Although there were MOWs moving about that day, but at the time of the crossing there were none.
As I said before, unless there is sufficient room to clear the grade crossing when stopping at a red light then this would be the only time I've seen a truck with trailer stopped at the grade before crossing over including school busses.
|
Shortline
Yukon OK
Full Member
Joined: 09/06/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
First of all, thanks-As a locomotive engineer, and RR Safety Officer, I appreciate you thinking about grade crossing safety. RR's and Highways cross at thousands of locations, across the country, and usually there are no problems-However, things DO happenn if you don't think about what is going on around you. As a general rule, lighted/gated crossings are supposed to be set to give AT LEAST 20 seconds of warning, from activation to the time the movement occupies the crossing. I don't stop at these, unless the lights are flashing.
However, at passive crossings (cross buck sign only, no lights, bells, etc) there is NO such warning. You can bet that I come to an almost complete stop to give me time to decide whether or not it's safe to cross, especially with a camper behind me. The locomotive engineer is also providing 15-20 seconds warning with his horn, but in reality, with the stereo on, AC blowing, the GPS talking-It's hard to hear sometimes. So at a passive crossing, ALWAY stop, look and listen. If the sight distance isn't great, a full stop may be required to give you time to see a train, and decide what to do. (If you see it, STOP!) Crossbucks are a Yield sign in most states (some states treat them as a stop sign) And the train ALWAYS has the right of way-Think about it as if it were a highway, with no stoplight-Would you cross a 80 MPH highway without looking??? some tracks have up to an 80 MPH speed limit, and some even faster than that)
Also, when you DO stop, stop far enough back to prevent any items that may be dragging from the train from hitting you or your car-Cables, lumber, dunnage, shifted loads, the auto that hit the train at the LAST crossing that got wedged in and is being drug (it happens) etc. Never stop ON the crossing, and if using a manual, don't shift until you're completely off. Be aware that trains can have 7-8 feet of overhang on both sides of the rails.
And, NEVER go by the condition of the tracks, or lack of signals, to decide which ones to stop for, and which ones not to-THey ALL Could have a train at ANY time-Freight trains don't run on a schedule necissarily-Out of all the crossing incidents I've investigated, do you know how many times I've heard from the survivors "I've crossed these tracks for years, and have never seen a train-I thought they were abandoned!" Any time is train time.
Lastly, look for "high center signs", yellow, showing a flatbed tractor trailer "hung up" on the crossing-Some trailers may not have enough ground clearance to safely cross-Find another crossing, don't take the chance of getting hung up. If you DO get hung up, or scrape the rail, REPORT IT! Obviously if you're stuck, you need to let the RR know to stop trains before they hit you. If you manage to get off, you may have pulled the tracks out of alignment (happens all the time!) and we need to have it inspected to make sure it's safe for a train to go over without derailing. To contact the RR, look for a small tag/sign on the crossbucks, or on gated/lighted crossings, look for a sign on the silver signal box-There will be a 1-800 number, and a DOT number that identifies the crossing specifically-That number will get you some help, and prevent a problem from becoming a catastrophe.
Don't trespass on the right of way, it's VERY dangerous, and when using crossings, STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN!
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 5.7L Hemi 4x4. 2010 KZ Coyote CL232SS. Perfect for our Mountain Bike and Kayak adventures!
My work tow vehicle is a group of 16 cylinder General Motors diesels rated to tow around 14,000 TONS. I don't need no weight police!
|
EMD_DRIVER
Gerrardstown, WV
Senior Member
Joined: 07/19/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
One thing to remember, is that trains ALWAYS have the right-of-way. Even police, fire equipment and ambulances have to yield to trains. If there are grade crossing lights and they are activated, then STOP. If there are no grade crossing warning devices, it is the responsibility of the individual driver, to be sure there is no train(s) coming.
I get lots of people that are upset, when they have to wait on my train to cross. I also get lots of people, that are very friendly and understand that I am simply at work and doing my job. The way the federal government set the railroads up years ago, was that the railroad owns the property the tracks are on and the railroads allow the crossings over their tracks/property. Whether protected or not, If I am blowing the horn for a crossing and someone crosses the tracks in front of me, THEY are trespassing.
Please remember that trains cannot stop very quickly.. It's just the way things are. The typical train I am running, weighs in at 6,859,000lbs.. That's almost 7 million pounds and I pull fairly small trains. There is no way I can stop for anyone and be able to stop quickly.
In the end, it is your responsibility to be sure the crossings are clear, before crossing the tracks.
If you happen to see MoW equipment (Maintenance of Way) they are able to stop. If the grade crossing warning devices are working for them, then you must stop.
2003 Sunline F-344SR fifth wheel
1999 Ford F350.. 7.3 Dually
|
|
|
mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 10/04/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Good to know thanks to the both of you, I have yet to see signals work for MoWs and if either of you are with UP or BNSF (whoever owns the tracks down in Blackfoot, ID) please tell somebody to make the sirens louder/a different tone they sound just like the code 3 sirens and are confusing and aren't loud enough IMO.
MoW sighted in Blackfoot ID
Yeah I don't fool around when it comes to grade crossings, so I wanted to know what other takes on whether they are stopping at the grades. I would imagine I'll be crossing a few more before I reach the west side of Washington & Oregon.
|
Shortline
Yukon OK
Full Member
Joined: 09/06/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
mynetdude wrote:Good to know thanks to the both of you, I have yet to see signals work for MoWs and if either of you are with UP or BNSF (whoever owns the tracks down in Blackfoot, ID) please tell somebody to make the sirens louder/a different tone they sound just like the code 3 sirens and are confusing and aren't loud enough IMO.
A lot of MoW on track equipment is intentionally insulated to prevent activating the signals-Unlike a train, the MoW equipment is supposed to yeild to, or flag traffic. Not with UP or BNSF, but we do operate in Idaho, but not through there, so I can't address their horns. Even though they are supposed to yeild, always keep an eye out-They may not see YOU! Thanks again, stay safe out there.
|
mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 10/04/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Shortline wrote:mynetdude wrote:Good to know thanks to the both of you, I have yet to see signals work for MoWs and if either of you are with UP or BNSF (whoever owns the tracks down in Blackfoot, ID) please tell somebody to make the sirens louder/a different tone they sound just like the code 3 sirens and are confusing and aren't loud enough IMO.
A lot of MoW on track equipment is intentionally insulated to prevent activating the signals-Unlike a train, the MoW equipment is supposed to yeild to, or flag traffic. Not with UP or BNSF, but we do operate in Idaho, but not through there, so I can't address their horns. Even though they are supposed to yeild, always keep an eye out-They may not see YOU! Thanks again, stay safe out there.
good point, and they weren't moving that fast (maybe 25-35mph still would be bad if they collided with something).
Idaho is notorious for not flagging traffic, its one of my gripes about driving in their state its amazing I rarely see ITD or ISP.
|
Terryallan
Foothills NC
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Unless I can see a long distance in both directions. I do stop at the train crossings. Fortunately, in this area, there are only a few with no gates, or lights.
And yes, a School Bus HAS to turn on their hazzard lights, stop, and open their door, At every railroad crossing. EVEN the ones NOT in service. At least in NC they do.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
NC
|
IDman
colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 07/19/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
You keep referring to MOWs. What is a MOW?
|
|
|
|
