New Gateless signal speculation

[Smjh1979]

Take a look at this street view: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 98,,0,0.96

There are brand new gateless signals going in at this crossing. I think it only gets about 2 trains a day, but the question is....

Has the FRA softened up slightly and paid for this type of installation at the crossing, or do you think the railroad has paid for the signals out of their own pocket?

I thought the FRA only paid for crossings that had gates?

[SirKrunch]

I don't understand the fascination with that type of double crossbuck mounts. If some safety official or the installers are "strokin'" over having "RAIL ROAD CROSSING" visible from both signals in that manner... why just not simply install a double sided crossbuck instead of two seperate ones?

[illinoistrains]

some crossings are paid for by the state or county. In Divernon, IL there is a crossing there that is gateless, and the signal maintaner told me that beacuse it is a State or County road (i cant remember which one) they paid for LED's and a new grade, when the grade at the next crossing down it about 10 times worse and this line only sees a few trains a week. Here is street view and a picture of it i have.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.5 ... 04,,0,5.53

[Arizona_Mike]

I still don't get the point of having only one bell at the crossing.....

[Smjh1979]

I wondered if the funds were local, or if the FRA allowed a little leeway.

I don't think that crossing is on a spur line, but I'm not 100% sure either.

[illinoistrains]

i asked the signal maintainer if they will ever put up gates at that line (the one i posted) and he said if line traffic picks up for some reason, or the state/county decides it is needed they will be installed.