Updated April 10, 2007

 

Total Accidents:   UNKNOWN
Crossing DOT #:  UNKNOWN
TOTAL DAILY TRAINS:   3   (ESTIMATED)

 

I'M STUMPED ON THIS ONE. I'VE TRIED EVERY TRICK ON THE FRA, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CROSSING ID FOR THIS CROSSING, UNDER A BT NUMBER OF 337.2.

 

NOTE: The milepost listed is an estimated guess. A correct milepost number was not given.

 

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3

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This crossing is a weird one. In a sense, this is a double crossing. The outer crossing has one track while the crossing behind the fence has two spur tracks.

 

Picture 2 is facing West. You can see both the Lays 1 and 2 crossings. This eastern crossing used to be used for Truck access.

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There are only two gates, to protect this crossing, but 4 signals total are here. All four signals activate when a train comes by. I like the 2 gate idea, but the gateless signals should have rear facing lights in my opinion, as well as a total of 4 mechanical bells.

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10

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There is a gate put here, I assume because this crossing has VERY LONG malfunctions. When a train heads eastbound, as seen in picture 12, the signals will NOT shut off until a train heading west passes though, then when it passes, they turn off. I still wonder if this crossing is really abandoned if there is no crossing ID to go with this crossing?

 

Trucks use the Lays 1 crossing now that this crossing isn't reliable anymore.

 

I've been told the official reason behind the fence, is due to extra security (possibly 9/11 related) according to a representative of Lays.

 

Pictures 10 and 11 show the two blocked off signals between the fence.

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A side view of the signal closest to CA Highway 58.
The relay case. I was unable to find a crossing with the MPBT number, so this crossing's status is unknown at this time.

 

The plant used to give out tours, but stopped a few months ago. (9/11 possibly?) Sounds like DOW Chemicals in Midland, MI.

 

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On April 6, 2007, This train shown was going across here on its way to Buttonwillow. Irregardless of which track the train is on, all 4 signals will activate, as seen in picture 18. The train only blocked traffic for about 1 minute.