I agree that most crossing events are only a couple minutes, and impatience would be completely unreasonable in such cases. But I was referring to blockages that last 10-30 minutes or more. I don’t think we would have the term, crossing delay if it were not for these kinds of events. Almost every driver is eventually treated to one of these, and some may associate this potential inconvenience with every grade crossing event they encounter thereafter. Even if the train appears to moving fast enough to not cause a significant delay, they know that it could just as well come to a stop after blocking the crossing, and remain there for no understandable reason, for an indefinite period of time. They also know that if the blockage continues, and traffic backs up behind them, it becomes harder to turn around and look for another route. Surely this is a significant motive for the unreasonable risk taking that is unique to grade crossings.
I like underpasses and overpasses. You know… trains will be trains
I am not sure I agree with you on all counts, but #3 sure rings true.
I have a question if a train is a federally regulated vehicle wouldn’t the police officier need a warrant to board the locomotive? now if it were a federal agent they would not.
The reason why I ask this as boats are federally regulated vessels also, when you get stopped by the sheriff or DNR they cannot board you vessel without a warrant, however the coasties can as they are federal agents, the reason why I know this is when I was in the CG and we would have joint exercises with sheriff and DNR I noticed that they would never board the vessels, So I asked about it and that what I was told
Rich
The officer could put the citation under the windshield wiper.
Conductor is in charge of the train, give him the ticket!
If John law wants to take someone to jail, be sure that person has all the hazardous waybills in their possession… It’s like a get out of jail free card when the law finds the train can’t move without the bills.
Above all DO NOT show them your drivers license, the only ID you have to show is your company ID card or rules card.
Blocking crossings is news? It is a big country with big trains and many too many road crossings that local govermental interests have no desire of closing, even to the betterment of thier citizens…do do happens.
First, I apologize for that a** kicking remark, kinda got me angry, but I kno most police officers are super buff. My grandfather was the Chief of Police for 30 years.
highlighted red Well then yell through the locomotive window.
I have talked to the operations director of a short line here in Georgia about fouling crossings. The railroad has a unique relationship with the communities along their main line. When their volunteer fire departments get called out, their dispatchers come up on the radio frequency of the railroad. The crews have standing orders to break trains or stay clear of crossings when a call comes out.
The reason for the anti fouling laws is simply to allow emergency vehicles the ability to cross tracks on their way to calls and from calls.
In my hometown here in Georgia, there is a branch line of the NS that runs down the middle of a city street, right in front of the main fire station. The trains, mostly local freights, maintain an even and steady speed. I have seen them stop for fire trucks departing on calls.
It is unnessecary for the railroads to be seen as the bad guys, and locals to be seen as anti-railroad, if both sides recognize why laws are the way they are and work fairly (and equitably) to a solution.
By the way, as a former Deputy, I would have big time problems with anyone laying hands on me. I might not be in the right by being in the cab of a locomotive, but the engineer that tries to “throw me off” by force is equally wrong and in Alabama, is subject to five years state prison time.
Erik
If I was the Engineer or Conductor all I would do is lock the cab door. When I moved he cop would either get off now or in Powdunk, USA at the end of my run and walk home.
And eat some bugs on the way to powdunk[(-D]