Rusty Traque posted:How can something with a warning siren, moving parts and motors be simpler than a diamond crossing, which has no moving parts?
Seems like a solution in search of a problem.
Probably cost more to maintain, too.
Rusty
Union Pacific Built a very large and expensive viaduct next to the I-10 freeway in Colton, CA because it was less expensive and more efficient over the long run than the delays and repairs associated with the old "Colton Diamonds" where the three ATSF/UP tracks heading toward San Bernardino crossed the SP/UP tracks headed toward Arizona and points east. Diamonds take a severe beating when a lot of traffic runs across them and have to be replaced frequently. Even on a model railroad, there's the potential for wearing out crossings. The "drawbridge" crossing eliminates the diamond from the equation (and appears to support infrequent cross traffic). Probably requires less maintenance despite the more complicated mechanical work.
