Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

MD2020 wrote:Of course, there is no reason to have the bell set to ring after the gates have lowered, unless it is a "quiet crossing", as a train horn will drown out whatever benefit they may offer.

I think it's more "classic" that way, but then again, this is what the MBTA prefers. Or it could also be because the trains run at 70-80 MPH through those crossings. (Back in 1997 when the crossings initially had gates and cantilevers installed, the bells would stop once the gates were down, then ring again as the gates rise.)

Still doesn't make anything any safer.

And bells ringing upon gate rising is unsafe and a poor practice.

MD2020 wrote:Still doesn't make anything any safer.

And bells ringing upon gate rising is unsafe and a poor practice.

I see your point. But it depends on the railroad, IIRC. I know CSX and Norfolk Southern's crossings stop the bells once the gates lower. The Florida East Coast Railway silences the bells once the gates are down, and ring them again as the gates rise. The Union Pacific, BNSF, even the MBTA have the bells ring the whole time the lights are flashing. It might also be for any pedestrians that are visually impaired.

But like I said, I was surprised when I learned in 2009 that the MBTA reprogrammed their crossings so the bells ring the whole time the signals are active. Most of these crossings (in my area at least) have Safetran mechanical bells, though; I think only a few of them use WCH bells of any kind.

So, how about the bells ringing from start up until the gates rise? We have a few crossings in my town that do that.

Here is an example. (Skip to about the 1:40 mark. I missed the start up, but got the end of the train).

Your point?

A bell is warning that the crossing is activating, and the gates are descending. The train horn picks up audible warning after they are down, then there is no need for a bell any longer after that.

The point is... it's obvious that other railroads and/or maintainers feel differently about it. Does the FRA have it written somewhere that the bells should only ring until the gates lower?

What about crossings that are lights/bells only (no gates)? Why do the bells on those crossings stay on the entire time until the train clears and the lights shut off? Maybe it should be that once the train has entered the crossing, the bells should shut off.

We were discussing crossings with gates.

Some Railroads have them just ring because it's a no-brainer. They don't have to configure the bell through the X relay or contacts in the gate mechanism, usually out of laziness. There is no real benefit to be offered to leave them ringing, just added annoyance when there is a malfunction and the gates stay down with no train.

Bells ringing until the train reaches the crossing is about as useless as allowing them to ring the entire time the gates are down, because just about any train horn would drown out the bell as it approaches the crossing. Now you just have to add more circuitry.

Curious, what your credentials on Railroad crossing signals?

MD2020 wrote:Curious, what your credentials on Railroad crossing signals?

Schools back in session this winter semester
Also on the topic of train horns found this interesting

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*Spring, Texas, (October 10, 2012) -* Union Pacific Railroad engineers are
sounding train whistles at all railroad crossings located between Livonia
and Avondale to alert drivers of approaching trains during what is expected
to be a promising sugar cane season. The effort concludes November 30,
which marks the end of sugar cane season.

The Federal Railroad Administration requires railroads to sound train
whistles at all public crossings. Most of the railroad crossings along
sugar cane fields lead to private properties, which do not require
engineers to sound the whistles.

In September, engineers started sounding train whistles at all railroad
crossings along the rail line that runs through southeast Louisiana. The
three-month effort includes crossings located in Addis, Plaquemine,
Donaldsonville and Luling.

“The number of trucks crossing the tracks significantly increases during
sugar cane season and sounding train whistles at these crossings will alert
drivers of approaching trains,” said Roger Lambeth, Union Pacific
superintendent of Union Pacific operations in Louisiana. “We hope the
heightened awareness will remind them to use caution and stop for trains.”

Sugar cane farmers and railroads are a vital part of southern Louisiana.
Union Pacific hopes this will be the safest sugar cane season and offers
the following safety tips.

• Always expect a train and look both ways before crossing
railroad tracks.

• Wait for trains and do not attempt to beat approaching trains.

• Do not stop your vehicle on the railroad tracks.

• Avoid distractions such as loud music, texting or talking on
cell phones when crossing the railroad tracks.

• Pedestrians should only cross the tracks at designated railroad
crossings.



*About Union Pacific*

*It was 150 years ago that Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act
of **July 1, 1862**, creating the original Union Pacific. One of America's
iconic companies, today, Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating
company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: ****UNP****), linking 23 states
in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight
solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000
through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and
operations, making needed investments in **America**'s infrastructure and
enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and
environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's
diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive,
Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves
many of the fastest-growing **U.S.** population centers and emphasizes
excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from
all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects
with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major
Mexico gateways.*

# # #
*Media Contact: *Raquel Espinoza, 281.350.7771 or respinoza@up.com

MD2020 wrote: Curious, what your credentials on Railroad crossing signals?

None... and I am certainly not trying to say what is right or wrong. I was just curious if it was a rule that it had to be done a certain way.

cabman701 wrote:

MD2020 wrote: Curious, what your credentials on Railroad crossing signals?

None... and I am certainly not trying to say what is right or wrong. I was just curious if it was a rule that it had to be done a certain way.

There is no "Rule" but I remember reading it as a recommendation in an AREMA book.