Help with crossing gate question

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I am very new here and a “rookie” when it comes to trains so please bear with me. I was discussing crossing gates with my kids and the question was asked “how do crossing gates activate sometimes but not others” i.e. when a diesel is idling nearby the intersection. I had to say I didn’t know so I thought I’d turn to the experts. Anyone have an explanation I can bring back to them? Thanks!

2

jamison1,
There have been many posts on this subject,suggest you start going back through
pages of this forum. Or type in what you are looking for in the search block at the top of the page,and hit GO.

OH, and [#welcome] to the forums.[:)]

3

short answer from another novice - if the train isn’t going to cross the crossing, but sit and wait awhile, the engineer has a key that he can unlock a device that will deactivate the gates and lights. Then as the engine creeps forward, it will re-activate the crossing.

Or - you can do what they did for a long while here in Lincoln - just sit and watch the arms go up and down like cheerleaders at the most unexpected time! And yes, it was reported and yes they did fix it - but it took a long time!

Welcome to the forums, neighbor!

Mookie

4

Jamison1,

[#welcome] to the forums! Please make sure you also come by the Depot Diner
and Coffee Shop. The diner even has a layout!! [angel]

5

Yeah - he’s laid out ok - but when he sobers up, we will send him home!

Mook

6

Thanks evryone for the replies, and thanks for the welcome.

7

jamison1-

Many modernized crossings have “motion sensors” in the crossing signal system that monitors the speed of an approaching train and activates the crossing system at the proper time to give the legal number of seconds protection to the crossing. So if the train is not moving, the crossing protection is not needed. The system will compute the distance from the train to the crossing and the speed of the train, and activate the crossing at the proper time.

At crossings where there are traffic signals near the tracks, the crossing system interacts with the traffic signal system. This interlocked system is supposed to cause the traffic signals on the road to change accordingly so vehicles do not get caught on the crossing.