Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

freebrickproductions wrote: Some strange signals here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1211523 ... 312!8i6656

We use to have two pairs of signals like that here in Toledo, although these had an upper portion of the cantilevers. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6796574 ... 6656?hl=en https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6793244 ... 6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6787327 ... 6656?hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6792962 ... 6656?hl=en

freebrickproductions wrote: An abandoned spur crossing:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1177357 ... 312!8i6656
This signal is a 12 inch Eagle Flat-back:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1177357 ... 312!8i6656
This one is a 12 inch Canadian GE signal:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1178256 ... 312!8i6656

Wow! Those signals are very interesting! I wonder how they worked? It is a shame that they are no longer in service.

Found this in Walnut, MS. The signals are gone now, but the relay case remains:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9461785 ... DIGM5Q!2e0

A bit further north into Tennessee:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0423659 ... lmjioA!2e0

Abandon crossing on an abandon spur in Frederick, Maryland. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4091058 ... 1664?hl=en https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4092209 ... 1664?hl=en

Chesapeake, VA:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8259187 ... siybqQ!2e0

On a nearby line:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8219532 ... Uy1Slw!2e0

freebrickproductions wrote:Chesapeake, VA:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8259187 ... siybqQ!2e0

On a nearby line:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8219532 ... Uy1Slw!2e0

What was the point of this?! https://www.google.com/maps/@36.822099, ... 312!8i6656

ToledoRailfan wrote:

freebrickproductions wrote:Chesapeake, VA:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8259187 ... siybqQ!2e0

On a nearby line:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8219532 ... Uy1Slw!2e0

What was the point of this?! https://www.google.com/maps/@36.822099, ... 312!8i6656

Some railroads cut off rail like that just so that no train traffic attempts to cross onto the line which is meant to be out of service. I've never seen something like that before, but have seen rails cut off (with the other side of the rail and the ties remaining in place) to indicate service halting on a line.

ZachL wrote:

ToledoRailfan wrote:

freebrickproductions wrote:Chesapeake, VA:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8259187 ... siybqQ!2e0

On a nearby line:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.8219532 ... Uy1Slw!2e0

What was the point of this?! https://www.google.com/maps/@36.822099, ... 312!8i6656

Some railroads cut off rail like that just so that no train traffic attempts to cross onto the line which is meant to be out of service. I've never seen something like that before, but have seen rails cut off (with the other side of the rail and the ties remaining in place) to indicate service halting on a line.

If I had to guess, it looks like the business off to the left might be backing trucks up to that garage door that's 1/2 way open in that picture. Might explain all the tire marks in that area. Just a guess, but definitely a bit odd none the less...

There is a set of tracks in Virginia Beach VA that are out of service. The crossings have signs that read "Exempt."

gameboy2000 wrote:There is a set of tracks in Virginia Beach VA that are out of service. The crossings have signs that read "Exempt."

Welcome to the forum!

A lot of times abandon crossings will have exempt signs because buses and other vehicles that are required to stop at railroad crossings don't. Other non-abandon railroad crossings such as crossings on Expressways/Freeways, highways, and other major roads will have exempt signs too.

Found this crossing with it's gates removed in Mt. Dora, FL (north of Orlando). Looks like it has been like that for quite awhile now: https://www.google.com/maps/@28.7995,-8 ... 6656?hl=en. The satellite image of this location shows a long line of what appears to be tanker cars stored on this track: https://www.google.com/maps/place/30906 ... 7907?hl=en

The track is active a little further to the west of this location and hosts an excursion train that runs between Mt. Dora and Tavares, FL: http://www.orangeblossomcannonball.com/