How Safe Are Your Model Train Crossings?

Arnold, I regret I cannot claim the same stellar model train road crossing safety record as you!

John

Arnold I think I did better than you on safety at crossing so far I have never had an issue at a crossing but then again I don’t have any crossings yet!😀😀🚂🚂

All safe here on the RSJ&B. Six years and counting with no grade crossing incidents.

Now- if the topic was about train to train accidents........

Bob

I have a confession to make.

The design of my main train crossing is brilliant because I doubled up with the crossing gates as shown in my above photo, but there is a problem I need to remedy. Take a look at this video:

That crossing gate was way too slow to come down. This is intollerable!

Fortunately, there is a simple solution: increase the power to the independently powered crossing gates. That should speed up the crossing gates and prevent any possible collisions from happening. Later today, I will send a work crew out there to fix this problem, and then we will do exhaustive tests, the results of which I will post on this thread.

It is shocking that I could have been so negligent as to cause this extremely dangerous situation by not having sufficient power for the crossing gates. Action must be taken!

I am putting myself on probation for this negligence, and if it ever happens again, I will fire myself on the spot as the trainmaster controller of this Fields of Dreams Along The Put Railroad.

LOL, Arnold

One more thing: if you think a more severe or different punishment should be imposed on me for my negligence, please advise.

LOL, Arnoldo

Ten lashes with a wet noodle!

John

Arnold, grade crossings are on my ‘to do’ list.  As you can see below, it’s “drive at your own risk” on my railroad right now.  No signs, no gates, no nothin’. Of course, since I don’t have a driver in the car there’s little chance of an accident any way right?

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

One more thing: if you think a more severe or different punishment should be imposed on me for my negligence, please advise.

LOL, Arnoldo

You must bring us one shrubbery!

Bob

These are pretty safe.

What are these "Crossings " of which you speak Arnold?

It sounds like some sort of witchery to me !!!

Another fine topic Arnold!  Here we have some rail fans or they must think its a bus stop, Have a great 4th!

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I think we are having, and going to have, a lot of fun with this topic!

I dunno. Since you started this topic, triggered, no doubt, by a real life tragedy, I question the "fun" aspect of the whole thing.

I suspect if you knew someone who was injured (or worse), it might lose some of the "fun factor".

Mark in Oregon

@Steam Crazy posted:

Arnold, I regret I cannot claim the same stellar model train road crossing safety record as you!

John

Looks like a case of non-functioning crossing gates for which the railroad would be liable. 😳

it is a bit grim but Arnold means well.

And given his past topics, I dont see this as negatively intentioned.

During my mass transit career, with suburban trolley cars and grade crossings, we use to say that the trolley cars were undefeated.

@AlanRail posted:

it is a bit grim but Arnold means well.

And given his past topics, I dont see this as negatively intentioned.

I don't see this as "negatively intentioned," either. But perhaps a friendly reminder that all of our grades crossings on our layouts should be protected by operating crossing gates and flashers, or at least with a simple cross buck.

I can easily state that, because I have only one grade crossing on my layout and the flashers below the cross bucks are not working. Guess I'd better get a crew out there to fix them. 😉

Cross at your own risk on my layout for now. Personal responsibility is rule #1.

@MartyE posted:

Cross at your own risk on my layout for now. Personal responsibility is rule #1.

Ditto here.  No "protection" at all, but the locals who cross recognize that trains are unbeatable.  They don't travel with their windows up and their stereos blaring, texting or staring at their phones while driving, or blissfully unconcerned with anyone but themselves.  Fortunately, trains are big, noisy, and smelly:  they literally shake the ground, so they are pretty easy to spot, and nobody in Notch or Marmaros, MO, is selfish enough to ask for a law eliminating the bells and whistles that the engines use to alert drivers to their presence.  Therefore, there has never been a grade crossing incident, and it is unlikely there ever will be unless some city-slickers invade.

Now, I do have a lighted #77 Crossing Gate and a #45 Gateman for the Standard Gauge Christmas layout, but they're for the big city part of the scene, and, honestly, they are present mostly because the city gov't appreciates the lights and motion they add to the festive atmosphere.    And EVERYBODY on the layout knows that the trains always come from one direction and always pass at 30 second intervals, so crossing the tracks is predictable if a little frantic.

Locked and loaded, gates with flashers and bell sound (well, on one side of two of six road crossings, and one of two road-crossing loops!):