I was at the Railroad Crossing in Matewan West Virginia, and there was a train coming and the gate went down but the lights did not flash and the lights on the gate did not flash. Does anybody know what was wrong with this crossing?
Sounds like a malfunctioning relay in the control box didn’t switch on the power to the lights. Or, if the crossing control has multiple protected circuits for lights and crossing arms, the breaker/fuse for the lights was tripped/blown. Just a semi-educated guess from a former electronics hardware engineer (I’m software now)…
if you see a problem with a gate or lights most crossings have an 800 number on it you can call. be sure to get the crossing # and milepost location.if it doesnt have a number for you to call your local sherriff would have to call for you.
stay safe
Joe
You are right I have seen alot of malfuctioning crossings in my area and yes most of the crossings I have seen do have an 800# next to them but I have hardly ever seen a milepost number. next to the crossing. But I do know where the crossing is located.
The milepost number will be on the silver control box.
The milepost is also supposed to be on the DOT required sticker on the post of the flasher/gate mechanism. Most are filled in with magic marker and may be difficult to read. As long as you have either the milepost or the crossing ID#, the railroad should be able to figure it out. (Even though you’ll end up talking to someone on the other side of the country when you try to report a malfunction.)