Just 15 minutes ago in Waterloo, ON I saw ungated grade crossing with lights that are ON all the time. I reported it to CN, so someone should be fixing it soon. But I was wondering. Cars approach it, slow down, sometimes to a full stop and then proceed. Problem is - track curves next to the crossing so you really can’t see far enough if the train is coming.
Is it even legal to cross flashing lights, even if they are broken like this? I mean the train can still be around the corner!
Around here, if you get caught, they’ll fine you.
If you get nailed, they may fine your estate–I wouldn’t know.
Dimastep, you did the right thing in calling the railroad–if someone had done it sooner, it may not have been a problem for so long. Most railroads have a toll-free number posted by the crossing for just that reason (I have UP’s programmed into my phone–and get to use it every so often). Also, your reasoning in respecting the signal, malfunction or no, is on the money.
How smart would it be to just sit there all day waiting for the lights to change?
The legality will vary depending upon jurisdiction, down here it would be state by state, with possible local “add ons”
Up there in canuckada it’s probably regulated at the province level, perhaps with some perverse footnote referencing that “notwithstanding clause” that some of you folks are so proud of.
But generally there is a provision for malfunctioning traffic control systems, that would require spot verification by any local authority who might “catch you in the act” etc.
It is funny to see long strings of autos squeezing around gates that will not shut off. Makes you wonder what woulod happen if a train just happened to coincidently come out of nowhere. Guess that’s what horns are for?
Well, there is no gates on that crossing, just the lights and bells.
Also when I was there, I saw a Motor Carrier Enforcement cruiser who did what everyone else was doing: stop, then proceed, he didn’t even pull over to guide the traffic - but probably it isn’t his direct job anyway 
That does seem odd, he probably had an emergency call with a stack of crullers he was responding to.[8D]
You did the right thing calling the railroad…
It is a RULE that a stop and protect order must be issued when there is a complaint about a crossing…
So don’t worry about it.
like carl has said call the railroad and let them know. if you cant find a number to call let local law enforcement know.the motor carrier enforcer probably just radioed to double check.you did the right thing.I have csx and ns on my phone for stuff like that.
stay safe
Joe
Stop.
Roll down the windows.
Listen for 15 to 30 seconds to hear if the trains are approaching.
Proceed quickly across the tracks
Listening is important.
If you can not hear very well, you might have to look at the trackside signals if they are close to the crossings. CN has installed many Red-Yellow-Green Signals near crossings. They are another indicator if a train is approaching.
Andrew Falconer
I remember back in the summer of 1992 when my dad and I were driving east on IL Rt 104 in Sangamon County IL toward the town of Auburn and we had to drive across the old CN&W tracks. When we got to the crossing it’s lights started flashing and 20 minutes later the lights still flashed with no train coming anywhere in sight. Finally, several other vehicles and us decided the heck with it and crossed the crossing anyway. A couple of hours later we headed on the same highway west and those same crossing lights were still flashing. I don’t think CN&W did a good job of maintaining that stretch of track, which extended from Pekin, IL down to the St. Louis area because, sometime in 1999-2000 after CN&W merged with Union Pacific, those tracks were abandoned and completely torn out, and drivers don’t have to put up with that malfunctioning crossing anymore.
BTW, it was the first hot (very hot) day this year here in Waterloo, ON, so that probably is the reason something malfunctioned. Althought 3 weeks ago I saw CN crew checking all grade crossing signals in the area, and they do it here once about 1-2 month I think.
cold and heat can play a factor in any electrical system.just keep a heads up.
stay safe
Joe
CN’s crossings usually have a 1-800 number posted either on the back of the cross-buck or on the mast to report malfunctions. Once reported a stop and protect order will be issued to trains. The crossings are inspected/tested by a signal maintainer once per month, and maintenance of way checks them once a week.
With lights only crossings, come to a complete stop, and if safe to proceed (no train), then you should be good to go (same principal as a flashing red light at a intersection).
If you are driving a school bus, then you are to never procede across when lights are flashing. If it is malfunctioning then you must wait for a proper law enforcement offical to direct you across the tracks.
Randy Johnson
Do I have the right number for UP? I have it as 1-800-UPRR-COP. I Tried to call it one day becasue I saw a guy jump across a couple cars and i KNOW he wasn’t a RR employee, and the number didn’t work. I just walked down to the UP office down the street and told them. they had seen it too and had already called the RR cop. they thanked me for being observen’t and concerned and were very happy that somone would actually report things like that.
Miniwyo, it’s an 888 number–that’s why it didn’t work for you.
For grade crossings, though, the number posted is (800) 848-8715. To report problems, it’s Option 2.
Funny you should mention this. Yesterday I saw a tourist bus at that spot. He stopped, opened the door, checked if there is no train and the proceeded. Not sure if he had people onboard.
It doesn’t matter whether or not you have passengers. The rule is wait to be cleared by a proper law enforcement official. Some joe waving you through, or looking is not good enough.
Randy
I typically call it in and go across. I hardly ever cross if a train is present, and NEVER when it is moving or on double track. I either wait for them to quit or a crew member motions me across. If the train is obviously stopped, I will wait for a moment, then go across, but like I said, only on single track.
I have never, ever drove around gates. The information above applies to lit, but ungated crossings.
I drove around the gates once… but only after being waved through by a police officer who had apparently responded to the accident that occurred at the crossing.
There is one place around Eureka, MO (St. Louis area) where not all the gates come down when a train comes. There’s some complicated track/road interaction there and though the crossing all lights up not all the gates go down to allow for traffic to move.
This is one of the problems with crossing safety. The practice of unlit crossings, coupled with the history of signals giving a false warning has evolved into a tradition of motorists believing that the signals are merely advisory of a train, and that the motorist may use his own discretion as to whether it is safe to cross. Drivers carry this belief to every crossing encounter whether the lights are merely stuck on or a train is approaching at 60 mph.
Reporting the problem of a stuck signal to the railroad is a good idea. Rolling down your window to listen before crossing makes sense. But the main question here is whether it is legal or not to cross against the flashing lights or gates. I asked the Minnesota Highway Patrol that question, and they told me that the law does not permit crossing against a flashing signal under any circumstance, but to use common sense. I don’t think we would need signals if common sense were a reliable method.
So the question remains: If the lights are stuck on, is the road closed?